1958 BMW Isetta 600

Sold for $74,250 at 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island.
Sold for $24,750 at 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona.
The Iso-derived BMW Isetta 300 helped the BMW Company find its financial footing, and avoid a possible takeover by Mercedes-Benz. The 600 Isetta was a vehicle that bridged the gap between the company's small Isetta base model and their larger luxury models. The design was simple and basic, powered by a 582cc horizontally-opposed, overhead-valve, air-cooled two-cylinder engine offering 23 horsepower. They had a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

The 600 model was considerably larger than the Isetta, with seating for up to four occupants. The engine was derived from BMW's own R50 motorcycle and offered speeds of over 60 mph. However, it was eventually outsold by the Volkswagen Type 1 'Beetle' after around 35,000 units had been produced.

This example has been given a recent and complete body-off restoration. It is finished in a two-tone exterior finish of blue and white with a complementary mix of new restored brightwork and new blackwall tires and original-type wheels with wheel covers. It has period correct checkered blue and grey upholstery, using the original interior pieces as a pattern.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2010