BMW Isetta 250

1961 BMW Other Micro Car with roll-up top Description:

When the tiny, unconventional automobile was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1953, it caused quite a commotion. It literally looked like something from another planet.The Isetta, meaning “Little Iso,” was first manufactured by the Italian firm Iso. Renzo Rivolta's Iso was not selling well in its native Italy so in 1955 BMW bought the name and the manufacturing rights from ISO and started to produce the Isetta in Germany.

BMW saw the car as filling a gap between their motorcycle range and the luxury 501 models. Engineers got busy redesigning the power plant around a BMW 1-cylinder, stroke, 247cc motorcycle engine that generated a whole 12hp. Known as the BMW Isetta 250, it first appeared in April 1955 and became the world’s first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 78 miles per gallon. It was the top selling single-cylinder car in the world, with 161,788 units built between 1955 and 1962.

In Germany, the Isetta 250 could even be driven with a motorcycle license. The top speed of the Isetta 250 was rated as 85km/h (53mph).

Only 7.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide with bubble-type windows, the entire front end of the car hinged outwards to allow entry – with the steering wheel and instrument panel swinging out with the door. Ventilation (and emergency exit) for driver and passenger was provided by a canvas sunroof.

In 2009 this Isetta 250 was restored in Germany by an BMW Dealership and then sold to a collector in the USA. He bought the Isetta to make it part of his private Museum/Collection. Never titled the car in the US. Still has the German title (Fahrzeugbrief). All import papers documents ready to apply for US title.

Finished in “Baby-Blue” and white/Blue interior, bench seat, chrome mirrors, clear headlights, 10" steel wheels, manual steering. The air-cooled One-Cylinder engine is backed by a 4-speed Manual transmission. Top Speed app. 53 mph. The odometer shows 30,661 Kilometers. (App. 19,000 miles) We believe original kilometers but not guaranteed.

This Isetta is in good condition and ready for fun.

Today, the popularity of these cars has exploded, and examples such as this 250-series Isetta are in high demand

Car sold "AS IS WHERE IS" with a Bill of Sale.