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Vehicle Description
The world might have missed out on such legendary BMWs as the 3.0
CSL, M1, and M3 had it not been for an Italian appliance company
named Isothermos. The loose connection between the mighty Bavarian
automaker and Isothermos began in 1942 when by a young engineer and
heir to an industrial fortune, Renzo Rivolta purchased Isothermos.
Rivolta was passionate about all things petrol-powered, and he
began to expand the company's range, adding motorbikes to the
portfolio, renaming the works Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A. After World
War II, Europeans were desperate to get back on wheels, but with
raw materials and fuel at a premium, few could afford a
conventional car. Motorbikes and scooters became hugely popular,
but they were impractical in bad weather or for anyone with a
family. As a way to bridge the gap between bike and car, some
manufacturers turned to motorbike-powered microcars that offered
cheap, efficient, and practical transport for the masses. Wanting
to cash in on this new market, Renzo Rivolta began development of a
2-passenger microcar with a single front clamshell door, and a
small capacity motorbike engine mounted amidships. Introduced in
1953, the Iso Isetta Turismo was the quintessential bubble car. It
was adorable, it could transport two people and a few belongings,
and it was highly efficient although not particularly quick thanks
to having just 236cc and 9 � horsepower. It turned out to be
reasonably successful in the home market, with 20,000 built at the
Iso works in Milan. Rivolta recognized a viable market for the
Isetta; however, he lacked the manufacturing capacity to meet
Europe-wide demand. Rivolta's stroke of genius came in 1954 when he
sold the rights to the design to several different companies in
Europe and South America. Among those firms was BMW, who was
struggling through the post-war recovery. Most of their factories
were devastated by bombing, and their Eisenach works fell within
Russian-controlled East Germany. BMW's post-war product line
consisted mainly of expensive six and eight-cylinder luxury cars
that, while capable, had limited appeal in the post-war economy.
Without the time and resources to develop a small car, the Isetta
was the perfect opportunity to support the bottom line. Of course,
they couldn't help but to fettle with the design, modifying it to
accept a 250 c.c. four-stroke engine shared with the R25/3
motorcycle and making minor styling changes. In 1956, BMW bumped
the capacity to 298cc which gave the new Isetta 300 nearly
one-and-a-half times the power output over the 250. With a storming
13 horsepower on tap, not even hills could stop BMW's mighty-mouse!
The Isetta continues to delight today's collectors, and some of the
most serious collections make room for the little German bubble car
of outsized importance. Offered here is an excellent example of
BMW's iconic Isetta microcar. This 1957 model wears a
well-maintained older restoration, presented in two-tone
Pastellblau and Bayerische Blau. The two-tone color scheme is a
factory-offered livery, pleasingly finished and detailed with an
array of period-correct details and accessories. Paintwork is in
good order, with glossy and consistent surfaces, and a small
touchup found here and there, upon close inspection. The fit of the
clamshell front door is very good, and the body rubbers and minor
trim are in excellent condition. Chrome is also excellent, with
straight bumper bars and overrider tubes front and rear. The car
rides on correct cream-colored steel wheels, shod with black wall
tires and brushed alloy hubcaps. With room for two passengers and a
few groceries on the parcel shelf, the Isetta interior is cozy yet
also refreshingly straightforward, with only the bare essentials
needed for getting to and fro. Vinyl-covered panels line the body
sides and inside of the door, and this example features a matching
gray vinyl upholstered bench seat. Every Isetta features a sunroof,
which also doubles as an exit should the front door become blocked.
The sunroof vinyl cover and frame mechanism are in excellent
working order. Controls and switchgear appear original and in
similarly good condition throughout the interior. The
single-cylinder BMW motorbike engine runs very well, thanks to a
recent service and carburetor tune. Access is easy thanks to a
removable side panel, and the engine is clean and well-presented
with proper finishes and fittings. The suspension and driveline are
in similarly good order, and the car exhibits excellent road
manners. With just 13 horsepower on tap, every drive in an Isetta
is an adventure, and it is nearly impossible not to smile when
stirring the 4-speed gearbox and listening to the little
single-cylinder buzz of this well-sorted example. Despite its
humble roots and diminutive size, the Isetta casts an outsized
shadow over the history of the German motoring industry, saving BMW
from certain takeover, and providing the storied firm its
opportunity to continue on to greatness. For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6484-1957-bmw-isetta-coupe/
