click to enlarge
1957 BMW Isetta 300 export

This particular Isetta is very special to the Collection for 2 reasons:

1: It is the only "Export" model on display
(with US-spec nerf bumpers and 7" headlamps, the built-in vents in the door and the clips for the sunroof that other Isettas did not get)

2: It is famous!

This car was part of the original collection that was dragged from the swamps in Florida, meticulously restored and when the original collection was sold at Christie's Auction House in London in March 1997, it set a record high price for the sale of a BMW Isetta.

News of this traveled around the globe and after that the prices of Isettas skyrocketed as suddenly it was "OK" to collect them as they had some "value"!

That same Isetta was re-aquired by the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum.

This is the original record-setting Isetta from the 1997 Christies Auction.

Manufacturer: Bayerische Motoren Werke, Munich, Germany

Model: Isetta 300 Export Motor: BMW 4-stroke Body : Steel
Years Built: 1957 - 1962 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: Steel Tube
No. Produced: ~25,000 Displacement: 295 cc Suspension Front: Swing Arm
No. Surviving: n/a Horsepower: 13 Susp Rear: Leaf
Length: 90" Gearbox: 4 + rev Steering: Worm
Width: 54.5" Starter: Dynastart Brakes: Hydraulic
Weight: 700 lbs Electrics: 12 v 4 Wheels: 4.80 x 10”
Interior: Bench Ignition: Coil Top Speed: 53 mph

© 2005