Four BMW Bubblecars in Historics 26th November Auction

A collector has consigned eight microcars to Historics 26th November Classic Car Auction at Mercedes Benz World, Weybridge and these include four BMW Bubblecars.

Star of the show is this rare and valuable twin-cylinder 1958 BMW 600 'Limousine'. The model was built from 1957 to 1959 using parts from the Isetta bubblecar and the 582cc flat-twin engine from BMW's R67 motorcycle delivering just under 20HP. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard giving the 600 a top speed of 100kmh (62mph). All are left hand drive. Stirling Moss once owned one and used it around London. It's estimated at £34,000 - £40,000.

This left hand drive, twin rear wheel Isetta 300 Plus has the desirable 'bubble top', which was the original Isetta format. This one was registered on 15^th, May 1957 and is thought to be one of only 12 still in existence. Supplied with a V5C registration document and original buff logbook, it's estimated at £18,000 to £22,000.

Also 1957, this Isetta 300 one of the first revised shape RHD Isettas assembled in Brighton under licence. Unusually it has a electromagnetic clutch and comes with its original buff V5 'logbook'. It is estimated at £18,000 - £24,000.

This 1962 RHD Isetta 300 must be one of the last built in Brighton as the UK market took to the four wheels of Minis instead. The single cylinder 298cc engine produces 13HP giving a maximum top speed of 53mph for those brave enough. (When I had one in 1964 I was braver, and got 63 on the clock out of mine.) It's described as "complete and running" and is offered at no reserve.

The sale also includes one 1959 Heinkel 200, which was a lighter, prettier bubble car than the Isetta powered by a single cylinder 198cc engine. It was almost literally launched in Germany in 1954 by its namesake Professor Ernst Heinkel, who also built the first rocket powered aircraft. Unlike the Isetta, the steering column stays in place when the door was opened and the car has a vestigial back seat. The last German built Heinkel was made in June 1958, after which the Irish government took over production in Dundalk until 1963 when Trojan took over and moved production to Croydon, re-naming the car as a Trojan. This Irish built example was originaly registered in July 1959 and comes with a V5C registration documant and owners manual. Estimated at £10,000 to £12,000.

Other microcars in the sale include a 1957 Tourette Supreme, a 1983 Barmby tricycle and a 1984 Bedford Rascal pick-up. 

Full online catalogue as new lots come in, and further details of the sale at Historics