Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Better and better - the BMW Isetta 300 in the (historic) test

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on April 1, 1957

Reading time 7min

Written by:

Ing. Johann-Christian Spira

Photos:

BMW AG

27

Archiv

14

BMW AG

27

Archiv

14

BMW Isetta (1957) - Modell "Standard" im Steigfähigkeitstest

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Modell "Standard" in den Alpen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - da fällt Abschied schwer

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - einfarbig

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - auf dem Verkaufsprospekt des Jahres 1955

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1958) - Modell "Export" in Felbertrauen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1958) - Modell "Export" auf dem Monte Ceni

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Iso Isetta (1954) - das italienische Original an der Mille Miglia 1954

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - das Entwicklungsteam beim BMW

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Vorderansicht, höhere Scheinwerfer im Vergleich zur Iso-Variante

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Motorseite, Blinker und höhere Scheinwerfer

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - prüfende Blicke, auch das Heck weiss zu überzeugen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - der BMW-Propeller auf dem Motorcoupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - man beachte BMW Zeichen, Aussenspiegel, höhere Scheinwerfer und viele Anpassungen gegenüber der Iso-Variante

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Motor mit Bing-Vergaser und Kühlgebläse

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1958) - das Motorcoupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - platzsparend parken kein Problem

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1958) - Einstieg in das Exportmodell

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - Variante für beidseitig Beinamputierte, Aufpreis DM 250

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - das Fahrgestell, ausgestellt am Genfer Automobilsalon 1957

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - auch für die Bergfahrt gerüstet

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - der Motor der Isetta 250

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - dreimal das Modell "Standard"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - Einstieg von vorne

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - Modell "Standard"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1955) - Platz für zwei Personen und ein Dach über dem Kopf

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1956) - Geschäftsfahrzeug von "Loden Frey" in München

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - das Armaturenbrett des Modells "Export"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - das Motorcoupé als Geschäfts- und Repräsentationsfahrzeug der Illustrierte "Stern"

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - das Motorcoupé in New York

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1958) - Cary Grant ("Roby, the Cat") mit der Isetta

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - der deutsche Schauspieler Curd Jürgens mit der Isetta

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - ein galanter Stirling Moss hilft der jungen Dame aus dem Motorcoupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - Modell "Export" mit Schlüssel als Verulkung

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - Strandszene

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - zum Gemüseeinkaufen

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1959) - das Modell "Standard" zusammen mit dem BMW 502

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1960) - Produktion des Motorcoupés in München

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - Produktion des Motorcoupés

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1957) - auf dem Camping-Platz

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW Isetta (1960) - als Geschenk

You have only

1 out of 41

images seen in high resolution

Summary

Initially viewed with suspicion and ridiculed as a curiosity, the BMW Isetta quickly established itself on the German market. It became one of the driving forces in the small car segment. BMW gradually cured the teething troubles and continued to develop the cabin scooter, and the BMW Isetta 300 from 1957 could already be considered a mature product. It was the subject of a meticulous test by Motor Rundschau magazine, which is reproduced here in its original wording.

This article contains the following chapters

Smooth-running and low-vibration engine
Well-stepped gearbox
Safe road holding
More comfortable suspension
Adequate brakes
Complete and practical equipment
Our wishes
Measurements

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Who still remembers the very first BMW "Isettes", which not so long ago were marveled at by many, sometimes even ridiculed as curiosities rolling through our streets. Today they are a natural part of the traffic scene and have long since proved that they are not only practical but also extremely economical. When it is said that a revolution has taken place over the last two years and that the weather-protected small motorcycle has become popular and socially acceptable almost overnight, the Bavarian Motor Works have played a decisive role in this with the Isetta. At the time - and it would be easy to forget this today - it was a courageous decision to decide to start production of such a new type of vehicle. However, the fact that it was backed by a company of BMW's standing was ultimately a weighty argument in favor of the viability of the new vehicle class.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Photos of this article

Source: