BMW ISETTA 250 12CV 1960 - Today, the BMW Isetta is a highly coveted classic car that would probably be classed as a micromobility vehicle now. But back then, the Isetta was a complete car. The small car from Munich combined a clever concept with understated charm. How it came about is a rather interesting story that proves the old adage that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. BMW needed a new model, one that didn't require too many development costs. BMW found its solution at the 1954 Turin Motor Show. On the stand of Iso Rivolta, the Italian minicar manufacturer, there was a three-wheeled car with a huge door at the front. It was called the Iso Isetta. The BMW delegation acquired the rights to licence the Isetta and also the production equipment. The BMW Isetta is a microcar produced under licence by Bayerische Motorenwerke between 1955 and 1962. The ‘Motocoupé’ is based on the design of the Italian manufacturer Iso Rivolta and is known as a bubble car. The Isettas usually had a door at the front and a single-cylinder four-stroke engine at the back. BMW's marketing department coined the term ‘motocoupé’ for the bubble car. In Germany, the Isetta was affectionately known as the ‘Knutschkugel’ (cuddle coach).
There was no better car for getting around town or for short distances. As it was 2.28 metres long and weighed just 350 kg, it was more manoeuvrable than almost any other car at the time. And two adult passengers could sit next to each other, just like in a ‘normal’ car. The Isetta was the only microcar where this was possible. As the door opens forwards and the steering wheel and steering column follow the opening path, it's easy to get in and out. The luggage is left outside in a rear-mounted boot. Not many changes were made to the Isetta while it was in production. The first series had a larger rear window than the second, and the window that opened to the side was replaced by a sliding window. All Isettas had a canvas roof, similar to today's sunroofs. Not because of customer requests, but because a mandatory emergency exit was required, as the entrance was from the front. It was produced between 1955 and 1962. This beautiful example has recently been completely restored. It is presented in an elegant combination of the period, with white and green ‘Light Green / White’. * This advert has been posted as a matter of routine, all details need to be confirmed with the seller.