MICROCARS AT THE LYON AIR MUSEUM
As cars get bigger and bigger, the sight of little cars on our landscape becomes fewer and far between. Perhaps because of this, the Lyon Air Museum’s Microcar Exhibit opens like a window to a cool breeze of fresh air.
Nestled between its permanent aircraft displays, the microcars are perfectly placed with a backdrop of the Lyon’s behemoth air museum pieces, providing a sense of scale to the tiny exhibit pieces. It’s quite a sight to see.
By Roy Nakano
Sun, Jul 27, 2025 04:00 PM PST
Featured image above: A heavy stock, limited edition poster based on the graphic above is available at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California, near the John Wayne Airport.
The microcars on display at the Lyon Air Museum are those from the post-World War II years of Europe, where they played a key role in the continent’s recovery. “Europe faced a transportation crisis following the devastation of World War II, says Lyon Air Museum spokesperson Marcus Gropl. “Roads were in ruins, fuel was scarce, and few people could afford full-sized automobiles. The solution? Microcars—ingenious, fuel-efficient machines that offered mobility and hope to a struggling population.”
As Marcus points out, many of the microcars on display were built by companies more accustomed to the skies than the streets. Microcar names like the Messerschmitt KR200, BMW Isetta, and Vespa 400 are from brands rooted in aviation history and postwar resilience.
“When treaties grounded German aircraft manufacturers after the war, companies like Messerschmitt, Heinkel, and BMW turned to building cars, says Gropl. “Drawing on aircraft design principles such as lightweight construction, aerodynamic forms, and minimalist controls, these manufacturers created vehicles that were, quite literally, grounded airplanes.”
“In many ways, microcars are the unsung heroes of postwar Europe,” said Mark Foster, president of Lyon Air Museum. “They emerged in an era of rebuilding, giving people the ability to move again. And they did so with a unique blend of practicality, creativity, and whimsy—qualities we believe will resonate with our visitors.”
The exhibit runs through September 1, 2025. “Against the museum’s backdrop of World War II and Korean War-era aircraft, they tell a larger story of how innovation in aviation translated to survival on the road,” says Gropl. “And how some of the most celebrated aircraft engineers found new purpose in designing cars that barely reached shoulder height.”
About the Lyon Air Museum
Founded by General William Lyon—former combat pilot and Chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserve—Lyon Air Museum honors military veterans and inspires future generations through world-class displays of operational aircraft and rare vehicles. THE microcars EXHIBIT continues this tradition by spotlighting innovation, adaptation, and the enduring human spirit.
Lyon Air Museum
is located at
19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana, CA 92707
Phone: 714.210.4585
Email: [email protected]
Daily Hours of Operation: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Admission Rates:
General Admission | $14
Seniors and Veterans | $11
Ages 5-17 | $7
Children 5 years and under | Free Admission
Groups of 10 or more will receive $1 discount per ticket.
For more information, visit the website at www.lyonairmuseum.org.
About The Author
Roy Nakano gave birth to LACar in the late '90s, having previously delivered LA Audio File back in the '80s. Aside from the occasional review, Roy likes to stray off the beaten automotive path: "Six Degrees of Reparations" reflected on the regretful ethical paths taken by car companies throughout history. "Traveling Through the Past and Present of the Green Book" looked at businesses that took a stand against racism and the man that wrote the book on where to find them. "Best Cars to Drive in Rush Hour Traffic" was an LACar guide published in the pre-GPS era. "In Search of the First Datsun 510 Tuner" looked at one of the milestones in the origin of import tuners.
