Vehicle Description
1960 BMW Isetta 300 for sale - Frame Off Restored Great Collector
Car, full restoration.The BMW Isetta was designed to be an
efficient and affordable form of motorized transportation following
World War II. �BMW was primarily building large motor cars that
were not selling well as there was a fuel shortage following the
war. �Some historians even claim that the Isetta kept the company
alive during this time of scarce fuel. �The Isetta remains one of
the most memorable "microcars" that helped to mobilize a shattered
postwar Europe. 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 these
little cars quickly became a fashion statement, and the Bundespost
used them extensively as well. �The Isetta quickly achieved cult
status in the United States as well, where it was featured on a
number of variety shows. �BMW cranked out 160,000 cars from 1955 to
1964, and famous Isetta owners include Cary Grant and Elvis
Presley. Weighing merely 770 pounds, the Isetta was powered by a
four-stroke, single-cylinder 298 cc air-cooled engine borrowed from
BMW's motorcycle line. �Nonetheless, it was capable of propelling
the car to speeds exceeding 50 mph, achieving fuel consumption of
40 to 45 mpg. A contemporary road test by Road & Track also noted
the Isetta's low operating costs, mechanical robustness and ease of
maintenance. �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.
Finished in green with a tan interior, the Isetta presented here
benefits from an older frame-off restoration, beautifully executed
by one of the nation's leading restoration facilities. �The
delightful BMW also received a complete mechanical and electrical
rebuild as well as a cosmetic freshening. �It runs and drives very
well and was also fitted with a new Stayfast top and new carpeting.
More than merely an idiosyncratic addition to any automotive
collection, the Isetta's historical significance cannot be
underestimated, as it saved BMW from being bought by Mercedes in
the late 1950s. �This vehicle was previously owned by a prominent,
private collector. �To this day, it remains one of the most popular
and recognizable mini-cars, of which this Isetta 300 is a
particularly well-restored and show quality example. Additional
Details: 1960 BMW ISETTA 300 - 22755, 1960-bmw-isetta-300,
