1961 BMW Isetta

Automotive

For sale is this wonderfully charming 1961 BMW Isetta, a true piece of motoring history and a fantastic example of one of BMW’s most recognisable and unusual cars.

This particular Isetta has covered 29, 400 miles and was first registered in the UK in 1989. It is believed to have been built in Germany, rather than being one of the Isettas assembled at BMW’s Brighton facility — a particularly interesting detail for collectors and enthusiasts.

The car has also enjoyed some fantastic moments over the years, including achieving 3rd place in a Micro Car Rally, with the original award still retained with the car.

Mechanical History

This Isetta comes with a raft of history and supporting invoices, with the previous owner retaining almost all of the work carried out during his approximately 20 years of ownership. This allows us to provide a detailed record of the maintenance and restoration work completed over the years.

Some of the notable work includes:

2024

Cable gear change for RHD

Inlet valve and exhaust valve guide work

Cylinder base stud and cylinder barrel base nut work

2022 – Braking System & Chassis

All copper brake pipes and fittings replaced

Rear brakes overhauled, including cleaning and painting, replacement wheel cylinder and shoes, and refurbishment of the back plate and drum

Front brakes stripped and overhauled, including replacement wheel cylinders and shoes

Front wheel bearings re-greased

Flexi brake pipes replaced

Phosphor bronze hub bushes replaced

Brake components cleaned, rust-treated and painted

New master cylinder fitted and brakes bled

New master cylinder push-rod adjuster fitted

Handbrake cable bracket welded and cable re-clipped

2022 – Engine & Mechanical

Engine removed and fully stripped

Cylinder head and barrel stripped

Cylinder honed and new piston rings fitted

Valves and valve seats re-cut and faced

Engine cleaned and inspected

Oil pump and oil galleries checked

Exhaust manifold studs repaired using Heli-coils

Engine reassembled, cleaned and painted

Engine bay cleaned and painted

2022 – Fuel & Exhaust System

Carburettor stripped and ultrasonically cleaned

Fibre washers replaced

Overflow and filter bowl fitting made up

Rear exhaust repaired

Fuel tank completely stripped, rust-treated, primed and painted

2022 – Bodywork & Other

New battery straps fitted

Air-cleaner housing re-fabricated due to corrosion, then rust-treated, primed and painted

New mudguard fabricated and painted, then mounted using new brackets

The extent of the documentation and work carried out during the previous owner's tenure gives a fascinating insight into the care this Isetta has received over the last two decades. The invoices and supporting paperwork will accompany the car, providing the next owner with an unusually comprehensive record of its history.

What’s Included

The car comes with its historical documentation and, importantly, the original 3rd-place Micro Car Rally award, providing a fantastic piece of provenance to accompany the car. As with all Mainspring vehicles, the Isetta will also come with a Mainspring ownership binder to keep all relevant paperwork and documentation together.

Ownership History

The Isetta has had just two previous UK owners since being registered in the UK in 1989. The most recent owner enjoyed the car for approximately 20 years, making this a particularly interesting example from an ownership perspective. The amount of paperwork retained throughout this period gives a detailed insight into the care and investment put into the car.

We are fortunate to own all of our stock outright — we don't sell vehicles on consignment. We buy cars that we genuinely like, and the Isetta is a perfect example of that philosophy. Few cars are as instantly recognisable or as charming as an Isetta, and this one has a history that makes it particularly special.

Chasing The Grail

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Why buy from Mainspring?

All vehicles are thoroughly checked over by an independent third-party workshop.

We own our stock! We don’t sell other people’s vehicles on consignment or have unit stocking. Over 1, 500 positive 5-star reviews!

We buy what we like! Our personal garage shows our passion for vehicles.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Best Regards,

Mainspring Collection