1958 BMW Isetta 300

Its name meaning 'little Iso,' the Isetta was designed and first manufactured by the same Italian firm that later produced the exotic Iso Rivolta, Iso Fidia and Iso Grifo. The Isetta was also built under license by both Velam in France and BMW in Germany and is credited as being the car that saved BMW. While exported to America, their small size, poor performance and unusual appearance made them an unpopular alternative to other economy cars and few were sold. Other cars that competed against the BMW in the 'micro-car' market segment included the German Messerschmitt, Italian Fiat Bianchina, and the French Mochet Velocar.

It was produced during/after World War II as an alternative to the Volkswagen bug. This vehicle was produced from April of 1955 through 1962.

The BMW Isetta 25 was powered by a one-cylinder, four-stroke, 247cc motorcycle (BMW R25/3) engine that generated 12 horsepower (9 kW). It used a Bing sliding throttle side draft motorcycle carburetor, and cast iron was used to form the cylinder and crankcase, and aluminum for the cylinder head. Unlike the motorcycle engine, the head was rotated by 180-degrees. The Isetta and BMW unit used different twin-bearing crankshaft, with the BMW unit being larger and with reinforced bearings. The BMW Isetta used a four-speed gearbox.

Many of the major elements remained true to the initial design of the Italian firm Iso SpA, however, BMW re-engineered much of the car. The 'bubble window' styling remained true to its Italian heritage but distinguished via the BMW badges and the headlamps which were now fixed to the sides of the bodywork.

Due to its small stature, the Isetta 250 could be driven in Germany with a motorcycle license. This changed in 1956 when the government of the Federal Republic of Germany changed the regulations for motor vehicles. From that point forward, Class IV licenses could only be used to operate small motorcycles and no longer applied to motor vehicles with engine capacities less than 250cc. At the same time, the maximum capacity allowed for the Isetta's tax category was 300 cc. Individuals who had received Class IV licenses before the change in regulations were grandfathered and permissible.

BMW responded to this change by introducing a 300cc engine in February of 1956. The single cylinder's engine displacement was given a 72mm bore and 783mm stroke, resulting in a 298cc size. The compression ratio was increased from 6.8 to 7.0:1 and power rose to 13 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. The torque also increased to 13.6 ft-lb at 4,600 RPM. The top speed, however, remained the same at 53 mph (85 km/h).

Between 1956 and 1962, a total of 161,360 examples of the BMW Isetta 300 were built.

A more conventional four-wheel version arrived in mid-1957 and remained in production through November of 1959, with a total of 34,813 examples built. Known as the BMW 600, this was BMW's first postwar four-seater economy car. The front-engine styling remained nearly unchanged from its three-wheeled Isetta siblings, but its wheelbase had been stretched and a conventional rear axle had been added to accommodate four seats. Mounted at the rear was a 582cc flat-twin engine from the R67 motorcycle. It offered 19.5 horsepower at 4,500 RPM and was backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. A Saxomat semi-automatic transmission was available as optional equipment.

The BMW 600 had a wheelbase size of 66.9-inches, a length of 114.2-inches, and a width of 55-inches. The front track was 67 inches while the rear track was much shorter at 46 inches. It used a new perimeter frame with box-section side members and straight tube cross-members. The rear suspension used an independent semi-trailing arm setup.

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Chassis number: 509322

The BMW Isetta was the brainchild of Renzo Rivolta, owner of Iso Autoveicoli S.p.A., an Italian company manufacturing refrigerators, scooters and 3-wheeled utility trucks. The vehicle's was designed as an affordable vehicle that was both easy and inexpensive to maintain, would avoid large taxation, prove infinitely easy to drive even in the most congested of cities and be easy to produce. Two engineers, Pierluigi Raggi and Ermenegildo Preti designed a car small enough to be powered by a 9.5 HP, 236cc motorcycle engine, and they called it Isetta, translating to 'Little Iso.'

The 'Little Iso' was introduced in 1953. It was a very unique and creative vehicle that had a very small footprint, measuring just 7.5-feet long and 4.5-feet wide. The entire front end swung outwardly to allow egress and ingress, and a canvas roof provided a second exit in the event of a frontal collision. Opening the door took the instrument cluster and steering wheel with it. The only option at the time was a heater. A spare tire was located beneath the package tray behind the seat.

Licensing production, Isetta was produced in a number of countries by a number of companies, though most notably BMW, who marketed the Isetta very intelligently and aggressively.

This particular example has been given a restoration and finished in red and white with a matching interior. Power is from a 298cc single-cylinder engine mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.

by Dan Vaughan

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Chassis number: 499930

The Isetta was built under license from Italy's ISO S.p.A. The 'Rolling Egg' Isetta (Little Iso) is said to be the car that saved war-devastated Bavarian Motor Werkes of Munich. It had a front-opening door and pivoting steering wheel. The little car was popular in Germany, especially with postal carriers, and many were exported to the United States. They had a sliding fabric roof panel (in case the front door was blocked or damaged) and sliding glass die windows. Inside, they offered room for a driver and one passenger. They had an excellent fuel economy at about 50 mpg and sold for a very reasonable price when new.

Renzo Rivolta's unique design first came to market in 1955 as the Isetta 250 but was upgraded the following year with a 298cc engine. Years later, BMW produced a larger version with a 600cc engine.

This example is a US specification example in very original condition. The current Northwest owner has owned the car since 2000. It has a factory-applied red paint and a white fabric sliding top. Power is from a 298cc overhead-valve single-cylinder engine fitted with a single carburetor. The engine produces 13 horsepower and there is a 4-speed manual transmission, along with 4-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

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Rebuilding of Europe during the decade following World War II created a huge market for a small, economical, short distance city car. The Italian firm of Iso SpA, manufacturers of utility vehicles including scooters and 3-wheeled lories, responded to this need when the Isetta 300 was introduced at the Turin Motor Show of 1953.

The name is a diminutive of Iso and suited the micro-car that was an instant success, unlike anything seen before, and went on to be built in many countries. Germany's BMW, struggling to rebuild from war's destruction, gained license to manufacture their version to the Italian design as a thoroughly re-designed model using the BMW 1-cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycle engine rated at 13 horsepower from 247cc, a considerable improvement from the Italian 2-stroke, 9.5 horsepower version.

Although similar visually, BMW's re-design made almost nothing interchangeable between the cars. Mated to the motorcycle 4-speed transmission, top speed of the Isetta 300 was over 50 mph and delivered about 63 miles per gallon of gasoline that was expensive, making the car ideal for infrequent, short distance driving. BMW built the 300 until 1962 with a total of 161,728 produced.

This 1958 model has been restored from a well-preserved original that needed only freshening of mechanicals and a new interior to return the car to as-manufactured configuration as an un-modified 300 as close to original configuration as could be achieved. Even its engine is completely original, having never been rebuilt from factory assembly.

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BMW's 'Own' Isetta 300 was substantially re-engineered to the point at which no parts remained interchangeable with those of the Iso designed and built bubble cars from whence it came. Between April 1955 and May of 1962, some 161,360 BMW bubble cars were produced and that includes three years of overlap with BMW 700 production, their own 'conventional' small car. The 300 used a 298cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycle engine (based on that from the R25/3) - the cylinder head was rotated by 180 degrees, which offered about 13 horsepower. In Germany, all it required was a motorcycle license to 'drive.'

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Chassis number: 513555

This 1958 BMW Isetta 300 was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $20,000 - $30,000. It was offered without reserve. Power is from an 18.2 cubic-inch single-cylinder engine with an overhead valve and an available 13 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and drum brakes on all four corners. The car rests on a small, 59.1-inch wheelbase.

These vehicles were the ultimate in efficient and affordable transportation. They were developed by Renzo Rivolta's Iso works in Italy and following World War II, were licensed by BMW for manufacture in Germany. BMW introduced them in 1955 and it was not long before they were nicknamed the 'das rollende Eei', meaning the 'rolling egg.'

On the BMW stage at the 1955 Frankfurt Auto Show, along side a large BMW 505 Pullman Limousine, the Isetta was formally introduced to the world. The timing was good, as many consumers were looking for a vehicle that was economical, affordable, and convenient. The engine is a four-stroke, single-cylinder air-cooled unit borrowed from a BMW motorcycle. The total weight was around 770 pounds, top speed was over 50 mph, and fuel economy was in the 40 to 45 miles per gallon range.

Among the accomplishments of the Isetta is saving the financially-strapped BMW Corporation from being purchased by Mercedes-Benz in the late 1950s.

This Isetta 300 has traveled a mere 34,875 miles since new. It has been recently treated to new trim, upholstery, tires and other refurbishments. It is finished in a two-tone paint scheme of aqua blue and white top. It is reliable and mechanically sound.

Much to the amazement of many, this vehicle proved that the collector car market for small vehicles is alive and strong, as bidding surpassed the estimated value and settled at $35,200 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

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The current owner purchased this Isetta from the original owner in 1996 with 3,000 miles on the odometer. It was all original besides one respray in bright yellow. The vehicle was restored to its original stock condition. It is a rare convertible with tropical front door and fresh air vent. It has a European trailer hitch and European camper.

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Chassis number: 510695

This BMW Isetta 300 is a numbers matching car with its original engine, which has 12,457 miles on the odometer. There is a suitcase on the rear luggage rack and has a history that dates back to 1978 when it was purchased by Robert King of Indiana. After Mr. King's ownership, it passed through the care of Parker Motor Co. and Leith Pontiac Buick GMC in the late 1990s before entering a Florida collection for 1999 through 2007. It then entered a private collection in 2007.

This car has a manual sunroof and is powered by a 298cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine displacing 18.2 cubic-inches and offering 13 horsepower. There is a four-speed transmission. It has recently been restored with new paint and interior.

In 2018, the car was offered for sale at the Hollywood Wheels 'Amelia Island Select' auction where it had an estimated value of $35,000 - $45,000.

by Dan Vaughan

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This BMW Isetta was purchased in December 2013 from OTC (Ohio Technical College) in Cleveland, Ohio. It was taken apart by the students 10 to 12 years earlier, and sat in a pile in the corner of the body shop. The car was mostly rust-free, and was low-mileage. The students had used the Isetta to practice body work, and as a result it had many layers of high-build primer on it. A complete restoration was undertaken in 2015 and 2016 after missing parts were sourced from the USA and Germany. The engine is the correct 306cc (18.61 cubic-inch) air-cooled BMW motor, offering 13 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Top speed is 53 mph. The paint is finished in the correct two-tone colors, Azurblau (Azure Blue) and Lichtgrau (Light Gray).

At a time when cheap, short-distance transportation was preferred by consumers, BMW introduced the Isetta in November of 1953 at Turin. One of the most successful microcars that were produced in the post-WWII years, the egg-shaped Isetta's design originated in Italy. The Isetta received the nickname 'bubble car' because of its bubble-like windows and its egg shape. Other nicknames for the Isetta were 'das rollende Ei'; the rolling egg in Germany, along with the 'Sargwagen'; coffin car, 'yogurt pot' in France, 'huevito'; little egg in Chili and in Brazil, the 'bola de futebol de fenemê'; soccer ball of FNM.

The Iso Isetta originated from the Italian firm of Iso SpA, a company that originally began building compact three-wheeled trucks, motor scooters, and refrigerators. In the early 1950s Renzo Rivolta, Iso's owner, chose to build small vehicles for mass consumption. Pierluigi Raggi and Ermenegildo Preti, the engineers behind the design, built the Isetta with a scooter engine. Isetta means little ISO in Italian. The designers came up with the design by taking two scooters, placing them close to each other and adding a refrigerator before shaping the result like 'a teardrop in the wind'.

Considered by some to be the best microcar of all time, the Isetta caused quite a stir when it was unveiled. More unique than anything out there at the time, the 'bubble car' was only 7.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. The entire front end of the vehicle hinged outwards to allow entry, along with an exit for passenger and driver through the canvas sunroof in the event of a crash. Making access to the single bench seat simpler, both the steering wheel and instrument panel swung out with the single door. There was enough room inside the vehicle for two passengers to sit comfortably, and behind the seat was a spare wheel hidden underneath a large parcel shelf. Ventilation was available by opening up the fabric sunroof, and a heater was optional.

The Isetta came with a 236 cc 9.5 hp two-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle engine. Dynastart was a combination of generator-starter, and a manual gearbox provided four forward speeds and reverse. The rear wheels were 10-inches, and a chain drive connected the gearbox to a solid rear axle.

The original prototype came with one wheel at the rear, but unfortunately, this made the vehicle very susceptible to rolling over, so two rear wheels were places at the rear 19 inches away from each other. Since the track was so narrow, no differential was needed. The front axle was an updated variation of a Dubonnet independent front suspension.

The Iso Isetta achieved a top speed of 45 m ph, and could reach 30 mph in just over 30 seconds. The Isetta featured a small fuel tank that only held 3.5 gallons, and could get somewhere between 50-70 miles per gallon of gas.

Iso introduced two models, the Autocarro; a commercial version with full-width rear axle and the Turismo which had a narrow 50 cm rear track. The Autocarro came in a variety of body styles, an enclosed truck, a tilt-bed, a fire engine, and a flatbed pickup. In Italy, the Autocarro was immensely popular as that type of vehicle was utilized often.

Achieving an average speed of 43 mph, several Isettas were entered in the Mille Miglia in 1954. The Isetta took the top three spots in the economy classification, a distance more than 1,000 miles that the drivers achieved in more than 70 mph. Even though at first the Isetta was incredibly popular, it began to drop in popularity due to renewed competition from FIAT with its 500C model.

At this time, Rivolta wanted to spend his time and energy on his new Iso Rovolta sports vehicle, and also concentrate on doing license deals. During mid 1954, BMW started talking with Rivolta about not just a license, but in fact the complete Isetta body tooling. Licensing the Isetta to BMW wasn't the last thing Rivolta did, he also negotiated similar deals with companies in Brazil and France.

In 1955 the production of Italian built cars ending after the construction of about 1,000 units. It is estimated that around 4,000 Autocarros were built, while Iso continued to build the Isetta in Spain until 1958.

The first car to be produced in Brazil, the Romi-Isetta was introduced on September 5th, 1956. A total of 3,000 units were introduced from the beginning of production until 1961. Iso licensed the Isetta to Romi, a machine-tool manufacturer in 1955. Romi is located in the city of Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, in the State of São Paulo. The Iso design and engines remained ntil 1958 before they were replaced with the BMW 300 cc engines.

The Isetta's powerplant was redesigned by BMW. The powerplant was rebuilt around a BMW one-cylinder, four-stroke, 247 cc motorcycle engine that produced 13 hp. Most of the original elements of the Italian design stayed the same while BMW re-engineered much of the vehicle so that none of the parts between and Iso Isetta and a BMW Isetta Moto Coupe are interchangeable. In April of 1955, the first BMW Isetta was unveiled. In the following eight months an around 10,000 'bubble cars' were produced.

BMW added the Isetta 250 to the lineup. Keeping the same 'bubble windows' as the original Isetta, this version was redesigned to carry a modified version of the 250 cc 4-stroke engine from the BMW R25/3 motorcycle and the front suspension was also updated. The 250 was two-tone colored and featured headlamps fixed separately to the sides of the bodywork.

The cylinder head was made up of aluminum while the crankcase and cylinder were constructed of cast iron. At 5800 rpm, the single-cylinder generated 12 hp. Compared with the motorcycle engine the head was rotated by 180 degrees. The twin-bearing crankshaft was also much larger and came with reinforced bearings due to the heavy Dynastart unit that combined the self-starter and the dynamo. BMW also enlarged the sump for installation in the vehicle and cooled the engine by a radial fan and shrouded ducting. The Isetta 250 had a top speed of 53 mph and in Germany could be driven with just a motorcycle license.

The Isetta Moto Coupe DeLuxe; or Isetta 300 was introduced in October of 1956. Considered to be the 'sliding-window' Isetta, as longer, sliding side windows replaced the famous bubble windows. The 300 featured an enlarged single cylinder to a 72 mm bore and 73 mm stroke which now achieved a displacement of exactly 298 cc. The compression ratio was already raised from 6.8 to 7.0:1. The engine now got 13 hp at 5200 rpm, while the torque jumped to 18.4 N•m at 4600 rpm. The top speed remained at 53 mph on the Isetta 300.

Produced with the intent to be an enlarged Isetta three-wheeler with even more power, along with a conventional four-wheel configuration, the BMW Isetta 600 was the largest of the BMW bubble vehicles. Though the front end of the 600 looked just like the regular Isetta, the wheelbase was stretched to allow room for four passengers comfortably. All-new semi-trailing arm independent suspension was introduced, while a conventional rear axle was also added. This was the same suspension that would be found on every new model for the next 40 years.

Featuring a much more powerful engine, the Isetta 600 came with a 582 cc twin engine from the R67 motorcycle and could achieve a top speed of 64 mph. Only 34,000 Isetta 600's were produced in the two years of its lifespan, mainly because of the competition from the entry-level VW Beetle.

After 161,728 units had been built, in May of 1962, BMW ceased production of the Isetta.

An all-new Isetta is scheduled to be released in 2010 and will be built on the same platform as the Fiat Topolino. The rear-engined, rear-wheel drive vehicle is expected to achieve 100 mph.

by Jessican Donaldson