"The BMW 600 is a four-seater microcar produced by the German automaker from mid-1957 until November 1959. Partially based on the BMW Isetta two-seater, it was BMW's first post-war, four-seater, economy car and it began the design process for its more successful successor, the BMW 700. BMW needed to expand its model range, but they did not have the resources to develop an all-new car with an all-new engine. Therefore, it used the Isetta as starting point for a new four seat economy car. As a result, the 600 used the front suspension and front door of the Isetta. The need to carry four people required a longer frame, a different rear suspension and a larger engine. The rear suspension was an independent semi trailing arm design; this was the first time BMW had used this system and the chassis had a wheelbase of just 1,700 millimetres. The 600 was powered by the 582cc flat-twin engine from the R67 motorcycle/sidecar combination. This engine, which delivered 19.5 horsepower was mounted behind the rear wheels. Access to the rear seats was by a conventional door on the right side of the vehicle and a four-speed manual gearbox was standard, while a Saxomat semi-automatic transmission was available and the 600 had a top speed of approximately 100 km/h if you were brave!
Offered in original but importantly complete and running condition, this very rare Isetta 600 was imported from California and as such has an excellent chassis and body for a cosmetic restoration. Running and driving with a reconditioned 582cc engine, the 600 is a micro car that combines chic urban motoring with the ability to carry four passengers and retains the front opening door for the driver as per the smaller Isetta 300. This 600 is now UK registered and with examples in the UK incredibly sparse, we think this is an ideal opportunity to put your stamp on what is a desirable and collectable BMW which when completed would likely fetch double the pre-auction estimate.
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