| Automobiles of Arizona Thursday, January 21, 2010 - Friday, January 22, 2010 |
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| Friday | |||||||||
| 1957 BMW Isetta 300 | |||||||||
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13 bhp, 298 cc overhead valve air-cooled single-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, front leading arm suspension with coil springs, rigid rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 59.1" Developed by Renzo Rivolta’s Iso works in Italy as an efficient and affordable form of motorized transportation following World War II, the Isetta was also licensed by BMW for manufacture in Germany. Introduced by BMW in 1955, the Isetta’s unusual ovoid shape brought about the whimsical nickname, “das rollende Ei” – the rolling egg. The BMW Isetta debuted in 1955 at the Frankfurt Auto Show alongside a giant BMW 505 Pullman Limousine, which must have created quite a scene at the BMW stand. While the Isetta sold quite poorly in Italy, the timing for BMW was perfect, as the little cars quickly became fashionable, and the Bundespost used them extensively as well. Meanwhile, the Isetta quickly achieved cult status in the United States and was featured on a number of variety shows. The Isetta was powered by a four-stroke, single-cylinder 298 cc air-cooled engine that was borrowed from BMW’s motorcycle line. With a weight of only 770 pounds, this power plant was capable of propelling the Isetta to speeds of over 50 miles per hour while achieving 40 to 45 miles per gallon. Isettas are only seven feet, nine inches long, including their chrome-plated nerf bar bumpers, and only four and a half feet wide; in all, they are barely larger than a standard sheet of plywood. Isetta owners were never at a loss for a parking space, contributing to their strong popularity among city dwellers. In fact, in many ways this small and idiosyncratic automobile actually saved BMW from being swallowed by Mercedes in the late 1950s. The 1957 BMW Isetta 300 offered here is one of the more desirable early cars, with the more “egg” shaped configuration – and without the later and more awkward-looking sliding side windows. The vendor has just completed a year-long nut and bolt restoration on a rust-free, never hit western car. A marque specialist, he has ensured that the work has been done to very high standards of both originality and quality, utilizing a great many new old stock parts from the vendor’s personal stash. Included was, of course, a complete mechanical restoration, including engine and transmission, as well as the other driveline components. This delightful automobile is finished in a rich red exterior finish, complemented by excellent brightwork, a factory-fitted sunroof and steel wheels with chrome-plated hubcaps. The attractive interior is period correct and supplied by Isettas R US. Notably, a correct chrome luggage rack and wicker picnic basket have been fitted since the photographs were taken. Beautifully restored, mechanically fit and nicely presented, this delightful Isetta is a fine example of one of the cars that saved BMW. |
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