Isetta

[DrewS]

Hi Folks,

Saw this Isetta on Ebay, it looks a pretty good little car;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Isetta-Bubble-Car-Melts-Hardest-Heart-/290685230037?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43ae309bd5#ht_553wt_1396

But a few details have thrown me, am I correct in my thinking that UK Isetta Production ended in 1962? and the seller is stating this car is a 63', also the steering wheel doesnt seem quite right..... I thought Isetta wheels were three spoke? Am i right, or totally misinformed?

[Jonathan Poll]

Hi Folks,

Saw this Isetta on Ebay, it looks a pretty good little car;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Isetta-Bubble-Car-Melts-Hardest-Heart-/290685230037?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43ae309bd5#ht_553wt_1396

But a few details have thrown me, am I correct in my thinking that UK Isetta Production ended in 1962? and the seller is stating this car is a 63', also the steering wheel doesnt seem quite right..... I thought Isetta wheels were three spoke? Am i right, or totally misinformed?

Not sure about the year, but the wheel is wrong, its a goggo one. I prefer it!

JP

[Jonathan Poll]

My bad, they stopped in 1962
"In 1962, Isetta of Great Britain also stopped production of the little cars but continued to produce Isetta engines until 1964"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta#BMW_Isetta_.28United_Kingdom.29

[Barry]

That's Jeff Wearings old Car.

[Big Al]

There are Isetta about with smaller diameter steering wheels. If you are built to an ample style the standard one hits your tummy. Therefore in the days of driven Isettas there was a secret trade in smaller but similar steering wheels, of which I found a good source of same style and taper but some inch less in circumference. Its amazing what used to get sold behind the beer tent at rallies in days of old.

Not sure a Goggo is one of these but two spokes were fitted to other machinery to. A better style I agree.

[Bob Purton]

That's Jeff Wearings old Car.

I dont think I know Jeff Wearing, is it a good car? It certainly looks it. 

[Barry]

Membership secretary of the IOCGB (in 2006).
I think it was a good restoration at that time.  Yellow seems a bit bright to me.

[Bob Purton]

Yes the colour is a bit "in your face"! Could be a good buy for someone then. I know all the logic tells me I'm better off with a LHD but I still feel I may have been happier with a RHD like this one, its what I had as a teenager so presses all the right nostalgia buttons and you get the gear sequence the right way around! Still, Thumper is a good little car despite what al says.

[Barry]

Perhaps I should buy your LHD and you buy the RHD?

[Bob Purton]

You cant get out of restoring your old Isetta that easily Barry!

[Barry]

Always one step ahead of me Bob.  Just bought a Kawasaki Z1R 1000 so my mind is on other things.  Wondering how I can fit the 1000cc engine in the Messerschmitt.........................

[Bob Purton]

Dont even think about it!

[Big Al]

That's Jeff Wearings old Car.

I dont think I know Jeff Wearing, is it a good car? It certainly looks it. 

It's Wearing well!

[Big Al]

Dont even think about it!

Oh do. They need upsetting.

[Big Al]

Yes the colour is a bit "in your face"! Could be a good buy for someone then. I know all the logic tells me I'm better off with a LHD but I still feel I may have been happier with a RHD like this one, its what I had as a teenager so presses all the right nostalgia buttons and you get the gear sequence the right way around! Still, Thumper is a good little car despite what al says.

A RHD Thumper would be Lumper?

Nostalga is a big motivator when it comes to Classic Cars and why not. Strangely inherited bias is also. My father hated Rootes cars for some reason. I have rarely had a Rootes car due to that seed planted when I was a lad. I have no doubt my Isetta thing comes from having a succession of bad ones.

Colour, no worries as for a driving car you can see this little chap coming. Much better than silver or grey, dullard blue which was pretty common on Isettas etc etc. I only found out the other day that the other low miler Silver Schmitt was shunted after Simon Frost bought it and drove it. Silver is not a great colour for a small car. Now that original car is no longer an original car as it is restored. Bummer. Simon must be a mite teed off as he paid a premium price for something now taken away though it is apparently immaculate now. Bright colours are good.