LOT 5
1957 BMW Isetta 300 Chassis no. 4994492
Sold for US$22,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 5
Beautiful restoration dating back over a decade
1957 BMW Isetta 300
1957 BMW Isetta 300
1957 BMW Isetta 300
Chassis no. 4994492
Chassis no. 4994492
298cc 1-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
13bhp at 5,800rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Swing-Arm Front Suspension, Leaf-Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
* Presented in a beautiful Coral Red exterior finish, complemented by a two-tone tan and multicolor plaid interior
* Beautiful restoration dating back over a decade
* Cabin features tan vinyl with distinctive multicolor plaid cloth inserts and matching tan carpeting
* Highly evocative of mid-century European microcar design aesthetics
THE BMW ISETTA
Popular during the 1950s and 1960s, the diminutive 'bubble car' or 'cabin scooter' is currently enjoying a revival of interest - not surprisingly given the congested state of today's urban roads. Nowadays though, the Bubble's attraction has just as much to do with fashion as practicality. One of the more successful designs of the cabin scooter's heyday was the BMW Isetta, a design the German firm manufactured under license from its Italian originator Iso. The name means 'little Iso'. Renzo Rivoltas Iso was not selling well in its native Italy, faced with stiff competition from the FIAT 500 and 600, and it would be left to BMW to fully exploit the design's potential.
Although at first glance a three-wheeler, the German-built Isetta used a pair of closely spaced wheels at the rear and was powered by a BMW single-cylinder four-stroke motorcycle engine of 247cc, replacing the original's noisy two-stroke motor. The coachwork of early examples featured a side-hinged single door at the front, roll-top sunroof, and fixed side windows, while the steering wheel and dashboard were attached to the door to facilitate entry. The two-seater Isettas most popular accessory, understandably so given the limited interior space, was a small luggage rack mounted at the rear. Later (1957-onwards) models incorporated sliding side windows for better ventilation. These improved models displaced 297cc, and the 'big' Isetta 300 was reckoned capable of 65mph and 55mpg. Approximately 162,000 Isetta's had been made by the time production ceased in 1962.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1957 BMW Isetta, chassis 4994492, is a European-specification example that benefits from an older restoration completed more than a decade ago. The car is presented in a two-tone Coral Red and Ivory color scheme and retains the distinctive styling that made the Isetta one of the most recognizable microcars of the 1950s.
The interior is trimmed in tan upholstery with multicolor plaid cloth seat inserts in shades of red, orange, cream, and brown. Matching tan carpeting and tan interior panels complement the exterior color combination and maintain a period-correct presentation throughout the cabin.
Power comes from a 298cc single-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The car is described as remaining mechanically stock, with no known major modifications from original configuration.
As one of the most recognizable European microcars of the postwar era, the Isetta remains celebrated for its compact design, distinctive front-entry layout, and unique driving experience, making it a standout addition to any collection of classic automobiles.
Additional information
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