BMW Isetta 300

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One of two BMW Isettas in today’s auction although, as those of you with above average arithmetical ability will have noticed, this one has only three wheels (the other - for the rest of you – has four).

This little red rocket has three wheels because it was built in Britain – which is not a comment on the engineering capabilities of this country, but to do with the arcane laws that allowed a three-wheeler to be driven on a motorcycle licence and to pay less road tax. The cars were built under licence from BMW by Isetta UK Ltd at their factory near Brighton which, it will not surprise you to learn, had no roads leading to or from it!

A 1959 model, 936 JPB was owned by its last keeper for over 35 years and although we were told it had been carefully garaged all that time, there is a rumour that it was actually kept in his drawing room. However, he did also own the superb XJ6 on offer elsewhere in this sale so he may have kept it in that car’s glovebox ready for an emergency!

The car is shown as having been registered in May 2013 and its early history is unknown. The recorded mileage – 6,509 – cannot be verified but the overall condition of the car would suggest that the figure is either correct or immaterial. This Isetta really is super inside and out. The cars were never the most robust of vehicles and the trimmings were a little flimsy at the best of times, but this one is a real knockout and it is hard to believe it is 60 years old.

The history of the car is intriguing and it would be interesting to know more about it. However, it cannot be denied that it is remarkably original and that it has been cosseted for most of its life. Surely there cannot be another on like it?