Car radiator manufacturer Carl Borgward became a director of Hansa Lloyd AG in 1929. Over time, his company gradually became just Borgward, as he carved a niche building stylish models, typified by the large and sleek-looking 2400 and Isabella, for the German middle-classes.

Well over 200,000 Isabellas were sold, making it a resounding success, and that was based on its looks and the car’s reputation for being almost bulletproof. Problems elsewhere in the conglomerate that Borgward was a part of  led to bankruptcy in 1961, even though Borgward itself was still making money.