Borgward Isabella

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A forgotten marque these days, Borgward of Bremen made high quality cars that put the fear of Gott into Mercedes and BMW at the time. Making good cars and making good money are two different things however, and Borgward are no longer with us - only their cars.

The Isabella went into production in 1954 with a steel monococque body, coil-sprung suspension and a swing-axle rear-end. Power was supplied by a 1,493cc four-cylinder ohv engine producing 60bhp driving through a four-speed synchromesh gearbox to give the car a top speed of just over 80mph.

This Borgward Isabella is a rare right-hand drive example, being supplied new to South Africa in 1957. Imported to the UK by a previous owner, it was bought by Andrew Bremner earlier this year. He made the brave, but astute choice to have the roof of the car painted white to create a two-tone look that only enhances the looks of this handsome two-door saloon.

The previous owner had already spent over £1,000 improving the car by overhauling the braking system, fitting new a master cylinder, wheel cylinders, hoses, and shoes. He also fitted new clutch master and slave cylinders, converted the car to 12v electrics and fitted a new alternator, battery and halogen headlights. It also had a new carburettor and silicone hoses fitted in the interests of reliability.

The car is tax- and MOT- exempt and comes with a German-language hardback book on the model, a 132-page paperback from the UK Borgward Drivers’ Club celebrating the anniversary of the firm, plus a large file of printouts on the car, including photographs and correspondence.