OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

and body panels were pressed from .88 millimeter steel, at the time
the heaviest in the industry, and as a result, it was remarkably quiet. Its
wheel-at-each-corner design gave a great ride, and there was sufficient
power to climb hills. It was even available with a Saxomat automatic
transmission. The car was pricey, however, at 200 marks more than a
vW Beetle. Plans for multi-tasking the car à la the Fiat Multipla remained
in the drawer.
Production began in 1958. Despite all its virtues, excellent build quality,
space utilization, and smooth ride, there was no denying that by 1959
the public wanted more of a “real” three-box car, and in particular,
BMW’s own sensational 700, which was to eventually sell to the tune
of 182,000 examples. Yet the original Isetta, despite a company memo
declaring that “it belonged in a museum,” would continue to be built for
another three years, and in England, for another five.