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Perfection - Borgward Isabella Hansamatic in the (historic) test

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Created on September 13, 2022

Reading time 11min

Written by:

Olaf von Fersen

Photos:

Automobil-Illustrierte

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Automobil-Illustrierte

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Borgward Isabella (1959) - Normalausführung mit Faltdach

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Borgward Isabella TS de Luxe (1959) - als zweitürige Limousine mit Luxus-Anspruch

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Borgward Isabella TS (1958) - als zweitürige Limousine

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Borgward Isabella (1958) - als dunkle zweitürige Limousine in Normalausführung

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Borgward Isabella TS (1959) - zweitürige Limousine

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Borgward Isabella (1958) - Blick in den Heckbereich der Limousine

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Borgward Isabella (1958) - mit LIegesitzen

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Borgward Isabella (1959) - Blick ins Interieur

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Geschmackvolles, bequemes Interieur, aber zu hoch montierte Fensterkurbeln

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Lenkradschalthebel wie beim Normalmodell

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Motorraum mit doppeltem Gasgestänge

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Das Getriebe auf dem Prüfstand

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Kraftfluss in den Schaltstufen 1, 2 und Neutral (oben) sowie 3, 4 und Rückwärts (unten)

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Borgward Isabella Hansamatic (1960) – Längsschnitt durch die Automatik mit zwei Kupplungen, drei Bremsscheiben und Planetengetriebe

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Howard F. Hobbs – Schöpfer des Borgward-Hansamatic-Getriebes

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Summary

Borgward's mid-range was regarded as a mature, reliable and, on top of that, extremely attractive design without any significant weaknesses. With the new automatic transmission developed by the company, the Isabella came a little closer to perfection. This article reproduces a test report from "Automobil Illustrierte" from 1960 in the original wording and explains the functioning of the "Hansamatic" in detail.

This article contains the following chapters

Prejudices
Semi-automatic or fully automatic as desired
Engaging reverse gear at 50 km/h
The 60 hp Isabella
Technical data and test results

Estimated reading time: 11min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When she stands like this, she looks exactly like her thousands of sisters that populate our streets. No unbiased person would think that a real sensation could be hiding under its ivory paint. The only sign of this is the discreet lettering on the rear window: "Hansamatic". So this is no "ordinary Isabella". This car is indeed unusual, because when you drive it, you don't need to use the clutch or change gear. So you drive it in a completely "non-technical" way. It is not the machine that dictates what the driver has to do - the situation has been reversed here. Hanseatic driving is a relaxing experience, and I would like to boldly state the following: with this car, the average consumer drives better, safer for himself and others and, last but not least, cheaper. This test report will try to give you an answer as to why.

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