1959 BMW 600 Isetta

BMW opens new doors to space economy. - BMW

And they took that quite literally. Like the rest of Germany, BMW was in a period of reconstruction under sanctions from the U.S. and the USSR. It didn’t help that only the factories in Munich were still available—the rest ended up on the wrong side of the wall for BMW, seen as a capitalist and liberal brand. In response to the recession, they joined forces with Renzo Rivolta, an Italian refrigerator manufacturer, to create the BMW 300 and 600 Isetta. The Italian company had designed a tiny car with a refrigerator-style door to save space. BMW, in turn, fitted it with a motorcycle engine from the BMW R25/3. And thus, in 1955, the first Isetta was born.

The end result? A happy face formed by the headlights and bumper, and a well-fed belly offering plenty of legroom. With its small wheels and adorable little details, this is an absolutely charming little car. The 600cc two-cylinder boxer engine cheerfully revs up to its maximum power output of 19.5 hp. Your neighbor’s 2CV had better watch out at the traffic lights!

Ours? Exactly what you’d expect from us. An Isetta 600 in its original color scheme. Fully matching, recently restored down to the last nut and bolt. Options? Absolutely. The gearshift lock—still present with its original key. Looking for an authentic alternative to a 500, Mehari, or 2CV for fetching baguettes in the village? This BMW fits the bill. Bis kaal!