11th Mar, 2023 13:00
March 2023 Classic & Performance Car Auction
1958 BMW Isetta 300
Believed to be one of only three remaining semi-automatics
Registration - XOE 23
Chassis No. - 14352
M.O.T. - Exempt
Odometer - 42,199
According to the very helpful Isetta Owners Club of Great Britain, ‘XOE 23’ has the distinction of being one of only 12 or so Isettas ever equipped with Smiths Selectroshift semi-automatic transmission, of which just three are thought to remain. We understand that opting for the system added a princely £24 19s 6d to the original price, raising it to a heady £383 19s 6d. inclusive of tax. The vendor has also informed us that though nowadays a three-wheeler, at the time of its manufacture in Brighton in October 1958, this microcar was equipped with four wheels – it was presumably refashioned in order to save on road tax or to be driven on a motorcycle licence. Finished in Powder Blue and trimmed in a green and yellow check fabric, this charming righthand drive bubblecar has been in its current ownership for some 15 years and is well known to the Owner’s Club, which confirms that it has at some stage been ‘restored to a good standard’. It is certainly well presented, and now offered for sale complete with sunroof, chrome luggage rack, transmission manual, owners handbook, large collection of microcar magazines, 3rd place trophy from the 2014 International Microcar Rally, and a selection of old MOTs. The odometer currently displays a total of 42,199 miles. A unique opportunity.
Microcars were born of the need for cheap short-distance transportation in the post war years. The most successful of the breed was the Isetta, whose origins lay with the Italian firm of Iso SpA (Isetta is Italian for ‘little Iso’). Many more were built under licence in France, Belgium, Brazil, Britain and Germany, where they were manufactured by BMW. Indeed, BMW made the Isetta their own - they redesigned the powerplant around one of their four-stroke motorcycle units and re-engineered so much of the car that none of the parts between the BMW and Iso Isettas are interchangeable. It was in 1956 that the original 250cc model was replaced with the 300, raising output from 12bhp to 13bhp. The top speed remained unchanged at 53mph.
In summary:
- One of c.three Isettas remaining with Smiths Selectroshift gearbox
- A seemingly well restored righthand drive, three-wheel example
- Currently displaying just 42,199 miles from new
'A Buyer’s Premium applies to the Hammer Price of this Lot if your bid is successful, as per the following; Motor Cars 12.5% + VAT (minimum £150 + VAT), Motorcycles and Bicycles 15% + VAT (minimum £100 + VAT); Registration Numbers 15% + VAT (minimum £50 + VAT); Automobilia 15% + VAT (minimum of £5 + VAT).'
Potential buyers should satisfy themselves with the description and condition of each lot prior to sale. Each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ as per the terms and conditions for the auction, buyers are asked to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out the service. Any disputes over descriptions will not be entertained.
Sold for £14,062
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)
Registration - XOE 23
Chassis No. - 14352
M.O.T. - Exempt
Odometer - 42,199
According to the very helpful Isetta Owners Club of Great Britain, ‘XOE 23’ has the distinction of being one of only 12 or so Isettas ever equipped with Smiths Selectroshift semi-automatic transmission, of which just three are thought to remain. We understand that opting for the system added a princely £24 19s 6d to the original price, raising it to a heady £383 19s 6d. inclusive of tax. The vendor has also informed us that though nowadays a three-wheeler, at the time of its manufacture in Brighton in October 1958, this microcar was equipped with four wheels – it was presumably refashioned in order to save on road tax or to be driven on a motorcycle licence. Finished in Powder Blue and trimmed in a green and yellow check fabric, this charming righthand drive bubblecar has been in its current ownership for some 15 years and is well known to the Owner’s Club, which confirms that it has at some stage been ‘restored to a good standard’. It is certainly well presented, and now offered for sale complete with sunroof, chrome luggage rack, transmission manual, owners handbook, large collection of microcar magazines, 3rd place trophy from the 2014 International Microcar Rally, and a selection of old MOTs. The odometer currently displays a total of 42,199 miles. A unique opportunity.
Microcars were born of the need for cheap short-distance transportation in the post war years. The most successful of the breed was the Isetta, whose origins lay with the Italian firm of Iso SpA (Isetta is Italian for ‘little Iso’). Many more were built under licence in France, Belgium, Brazil, Britain and Germany, where they were manufactured by BMW. Indeed, BMW made the Isetta their own - they redesigned the powerplant around one of their four-stroke motorcycle units and re-engineered so much of the car that none of the parts between the BMW and Iso Isettas are interchangeable. It was in 1956 that the original 250cc model was replaced with the 300, raising output from 12bhp to 13bhp. The top speed remained unchanged at 53mph.
In summary:
- One of c.three Isettas remaining with Smiths Selectroshift gearbox
- A seemingly well restored righthand drive, three-wheel example
- Currently displaying just 42,199 miles from new
'A Buyer’s Premium applies to the Hammer Price of this Lot if your bid is successful, as per the following; Motor Cars 12.5% + VAT (minimum £150 + VAT), Motorcycles and Bicycles 15% + VAT (minimum £100 + VAT); Registration Numbers 15% + VAT (minimum £50 + VAT); Automobilia 15% + VAT (minimum of £5 + VAT).'
Potential buyers should satisfy themselves with the description and condition of each lot prior to sale. Each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ as per the terms and conditions for the auction, buyers are asked to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out the service. Any disputes over descriptions will not be entertained.
Auction: March 2023 Classic & Performance Car Auction, 11th Mar, 2023
Our March auction of classic, modern classic and prestige cars and motorbikes will take place at Mavericks in Holywell, North Wales (half an hour’s drive from Chester). Mavericks, 8 Moyston Road Business Park, Llannerch-y-Môr, Holywell, CH8 9DQ
There will be free parking for auction attendees.
Entries are now being invited, and sellers will benefit from Hampson’s unique offering of zero sellers commission for physical auctions, meaning that vendors keep 100% of the hammer price achieved for their vehicles.
If you wish to consign your vehicle to this auction, you can request a valuation here or by calling one of the Hampson Auctions team on 01606 828124
Viewing Days:
Friday 10th March 2pm - 7pm
Saturday 11th March 9am - 1pm
Fill in the form below and one of our team will get in touch with a no-obligation valuation. We will also take you through the consignment and valuation process, to enable you to make an informed decision.
If you prefer to contact us directly please call 01606 828 124 or email info@hampsonauctions.com
