1957 BMW ISETTA 300 CABRIOLET

Details

Air-cooled 298cc overhead-valve, single cylinder BMW motorcycle engine, developing 13hp at 5,200 rpm. This four wheel, 4-speed, 'bubble car' has a top speed of 53mph. Total weight is 770lbs. 7'8' long by 4'6' wide. Three gallon gas capacity with an additional 7 gallon custom-made back-up tank hidden in a small suitcase on the rear rack. The Isetta 300 has adequate room for two adults and a reasonably well-behaved child. Winner of both the Peoples Choice and Chairman's Award at the prestigious

2012 Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance, Isetta #500269 is considered to be one of the finest and most accurate examples, being the object of a four year total restoration with painstaking attention to detail and no expense spared. Fresh Bavarian Blue and white paint on a 100% rust-free body. All new chrome, interior, convertible top and sunroof less than 125 miles on a completely rebuilt engine and drive train and new Goodyear white wall tires. The factory optional defroster and heater give the pleasant sensation of a hamster puffing warm air across the driver's feet. Of 8,500 Isettas imported into the US the registry accounts for 366 and of them only 19 are cabriolets. The Isetta is often credited with saving a floundering post WWII BMW. In what was considered at the time a desperate move, BMW purchased licensing and tooling from ISO Isetta, a Milanese refrigerator and scooter manufacturer and went to produce over 180,000 cars. It is said, mostly by Isetta owners and enthusiasts, that without the endearing little 'rolling egg' the company might not exist today.