1957 BMW Isetta 300

Sunroof Included
Early 250s had a wraparound rear window and fixed side glass. In 1956, the rear window became smaller and sliding side glass was offered. Engine size grew to 297-cc and 13-bhp, and the model became known as the Isetta 300. Imports to the U.S. increased. For bargain hunters, a BMW Isetta 300 was $1048 stateside, well below a comparable Volkswagen. Tubular vertical bumpers, aluminum hubcaps, a sunroof, fixed or sliding side windows, a center stoplight and a standard heater were a few of the little car's creature features.


Calling the 300 a "grotesque attention-getter," Road & Track dryly commented: "We were glad that it did catch everyone's eye; we should have felt awfully vulnerable if it hadn't." BMW would eventually sell over 158,728 Isettas; about 8,500 300s found homes here before the bigger, longer, twin-cylinder model 600 replaced them. The little egg indeed helped pave the way for better and bigger Bimmers, and truly helped the company survive a difficult era.


Why buy an Isetta? It's relatively cheap ($10,,000-$20,000), it's curious; and, it'll make you an instant star at any contemporary BMW gathering. Many parts are still available. Do watch for rust (this is sort of a Fifties "Italian" car, remember), and stay far to the right on the road.

Resources
CPI, Cars of Particular Interest


BMW Car Club of America, 2809 East 35th Street, Tulsa, OK 74105 www.bmwcca.org


Vintage Auto Parts, Temple, Pennsylvania (610-926-2485).