| Automobiles of Amelia Island Saturday, March 13, 2010 |
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| 1958 BMW 600 | |||||||||
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23 bhp, 582 cc horizontally-opposed, overhead-valve, air-cooled two-cylinder engine, Zenith carburetor, four-speed manual transmission, front leading arms with coil springs, rear semi-trailing arms with coil springs, four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 66.9" The BMW Isetta 300 was introduced at an ideal time for the German automaker; not only did it contribute to the burgeoning minicar craze of the late 1950s, but the Iso-derived “rolling egg” also helped sustain BMW’s financial strength, thereby avoiding a possible takeover by Mercedes-Benz. After several years of successful sales on both sides of the Atlantic, BMW sought to bridge the wide gap between the diminutive Isetta and its larger luxury models. Though quite similar in basic design, the resulting 600 model was considerably larger than the Isetta, with seating for up to four occupants. Its air-cooled 582 cc, horizontally-opposed two-cylinder engine was derived from that of BMW’s own R50 motorcycle and allowed top speeds of over 60 mph, making the “Isetta Limousine” (as it was often and incorrectly referred to) much better suited for highway driving than the smaller Isetta 300. While initial sales were encouraged by economy-minded consumers in postwar Europe and the fuel shortages of the era, the 600 was eventually outsold by the more conventional-appearing Volkswagen Type 1 “Beetle” after some 35,000 units had been produced. The delightful 1958 BMW 600 offered here is a very fine example of these remarkable “microcars,” benefiting today from a recent and complete body-off restoration. The distinctive blue and white two-tone exterior finish is complemented by a mix of new and restored brightwork as well as new blackwall tires and original-type wheels with wheel covers. A completely new interior was installed as well, with period correct checkered blue and grey upholstery, using the original interior pieces as a pattern. The engine was completely rebuilt and a new exhaust system was installed as well. Despite its simplicity and compact dimensions, the BMW 600 was, and remains today, quite a remarkable car. It even pioneered BMW’s use of the semi-trailing arm rear suspension that first appeared on the 2002 sports sedan and continued through the more recent Z3 Roadster, contributing to their stellar handling. To this day, the 600 remains an attractive alternative to the much more common Beetle, with seating for four and plenty of “Fahrvergnügen” to boot. |
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