For Sale at Auction: 1958 BMW Isetta 300 in Carmel, California

Chassis No. 574130
Engine No. 574130

Fun, economy, and practicality rarely converge in the automotive world, yet the BMW Isetta stands as a showcase for all three. In the climate of post-war Germany, where inexpensive mobility was desperately needed, BMW turned to Italian manufacturer Iso, acquiring both the production license for their microcar and much of the original tooling-paving the way for the Isetta 300.

Unveiled at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the two-seater BMW Isetta featured a tubular chassis, a single front-opening door, and a 247-cc BMW single-cylinder engine, later upgraded to 298 cc for improved performance. Its lightweight body and compact engine allowed for remarkably low fuel consumption (60 miles per gallon), making it the world's first "3-liter car". From October 1956, the Isetta's bubble windows were replaced with a new sliding side window design that offered far better ventilation in the Isetta's famously petite cockpit.

The BMW Classic Birth Certificate for this Isetta 300 indicates that it was produced in July 1958, rolling off the Munich production line specified in Japan Red. The Isetta was subsequently dispatched to Buenos Aires, Argentina and was delivered new that month to J. y R. Chediek & Cia. S.R.L.

At one point prior to entering the consignor's eclectic collection in Pennsylvania, the Isetta was refinished in its current vibrant two-tone livery consisting of a white upper body with a lower body hue closely resembling Savannah Yellow, and married to a tan interior. It retains its original motor and is furnished with a copy of its owner's manual, period Isetta brochures, a copy of The Cassell Book of Isetta, and its all-important BMW Classic Birth Certificate.

As the best-selling single cylinder car ever and one of the most recognizable microcars extant, the BMW Isetta has certainly earned its place as the undisputed icon of the bubble car movement. This 1958 Isetta 300 is compact enough to fit virtually anywhere yet charismatic enough, with its delightful two-tone presentation, to command attention wherever it appears. It would be a captivating addition to any thoughtfully curated collection of BMWs, microcars, or postwar automotive oddities, while remaining a crowd favorite at any local enthusiast gathering.