The Iso Isetta was originally designed in Italy with production beginning in 1953, initially being licensed for manufacture in multiple countries including the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, and Germany. It was BMW who would capture the Isetta in 1955, being built alongside their already successful R-Series motorcycles. Although their version may have looked similar, it varied from all other versions having been completely reengineered inhouse, including using their own BMW 1-cylinder engine. Originally fitted with a 250cc 4-stroke engine borrowed from the R25/3 motorcycle, it was later uprated to 298cc in 1955 to meet registration and licensing requirements in Germany. This bump in displacement and compression ratio gave the engine one more horsepower totalling 13 horses and offered a maximum speed of approximately 53mph, likely on a downhill stretch! Clearly not meant for highways, but rather for easy commuting and exceptional fuel economy! The BMW Isetta became the top selling, mass-produced, single-cylinder vehicle in the world by 1955, even earning the title as the first car to ever achieve 78mpg fuel consumption!
We are excited to offer this 1957 BMW Isetta 300 finished in a beautiful Signal Red over White and Gray combination interior and Black canvas folding roof. This exceptional example was part of the museum collection back in 2013, before traveling to Cincinnati, Ohio where it has been cared for by a meticulous owner ever since. While in his possession, it was used only on the fairest of days for both exercise and local car gatherings, and in April 2016, was sent to BMW specialist Isettas-R-Us, Inc. for complete mechanical servicing to include all new suspension & steering components from the steering wheel to the kingpins bushings, all completely new braking system supplied through White Post Restorations with fresh DOT3 fluid, new clutch, rebuilt the carburetor, new air intake hose and air filter, and many small replacement hardware components throughout the process.
It is a remarkable example with stunning exterior characteristics including excellent chrome and paint finish, right down to the clear light lenses and rubber gaskets. It isn't perfect, but a terrific show car and very capable weekend driver alike! It is only being offered again due to his unfortunate passing but make no mistake that this Isetta was very well loved and deserves a new garage where the next steward can continue to enjoy it and properly maintain it in the same fashion! It comes with all service & parts records dating back to 2013, three sets of keys, correct bottle jack & wrench, and extra engine cover removal tools. Please call with any questions or to schedule a chance to review in person. Thanks for looking!
