I am in the process of doing a frame off restoration on a 1958 BMW Isetta and thought that I would share. I have created a website for the restoration that can be viewed at: http://www.IsettaBob.com I update the site 2-3 times a week with new pictures as well as commentary of the current progress that I have made on the car. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I went through a lot of what you're going through with our 58 Isetta and it was fun! The car went with my ex via divorce and she sold it to a guy in Ohio? They are a blast, but can be quite frustrating.
I'll try and find MY truck picture. A friend who also has an Isetta (Convertible, BTW) couldn't get his to run after a show a few years back. They hauled it home in the back of a SUBURBAN...yes, it fit.
Fantastic project....I remember them being for sale new. Hudson's Bay Dept store used to have one for sale in their lower floor. I seem to remember they were under $1000 dollars. What a riot. For some reason I can't down load any of your updates from your web page??
...Jay
I am unsure as to which "updates" you are referring to. If you are referring to the "All Status Reports" link, then please make sure that any pop up blockers that you may be using is not blocking the page from being shown.
Please let me know, if it is a problem with the site I will be sure to fix it.
Just looking at the height of the Isetta in the truck bed tells me there's no way an Isetta would fit in late-model Suburban - the load height of the Suburban is equal to the top of the truck's cab and much less than the Isetta's height. Was it a very old Suburban? Those were more like panel vans.
They get a lot of attention. I came out of a store one day and found a lady and her kid sitting in it. Another time my ex broke down at our fancy shopping center...by the time I got there to tow it home an entire busload of Japanese tourists had surrounded it...cameras a'flashin!
I have completed all of the work on the chassis and have moved onto the body. After a couple of long days I striped the body inside and out and have started pounding out dents. Also be sure to check out the handmade floor section that I built.
Looks super...but check the wheel color...shouldn't it be a bit off-white? (I matched the color on mine and it was not white) And I think the engine is 1/2 of an R6, no such thing as an R3...
There was an Isetta at the 'fest this year. I talked with the old man who brought it, and he said he bought it back in the '70s for $250, mind condition, and it's been garage kept since then. The thing was in AMAZING condition for a 49 year old car. :yikes:
Thats an amazing project Bob, having restored a motorcycle myself many years ago I can understand the immense feeling of satisfaction you get when doing a project like this, I hope you don't mind ,I've posted the link to your website on another bmw site so others can check it out.
stevo.
The more the merrier. Thanks all for the words of praise. Its been really a fun project and will probably be a little sad when its done. But then again, its going to be even more fun to get to drive it around town and turn a head or two. I hope to finish all of the bodywork and painting in about four more weeks. Then re-assembly, wiring and interior. Then its off to the shows!!
Well I finally got the body painted over the weekend. I am really happy with the results. This picture kind of sucks but tonight I will be putting the body on the chassis so I can move it outside for better pictures and to bake in the sun.
Woody, I decided to make the color of the wheels match the same white that I used on the roof of the car. Neither the green or the white is original as I am doing a resto mod build.
I will post a picture of it on its chassis tomorrow.
It looks good Bob! Guess I can live with those "white" wheels. My friend with the cabriolet Isetta painted his almost the same color green, so you're not too far off on authenticity. Now you get to build an interior (I can give you a lot of info on correctness there if interested). Have fun! BTW, the sunroofs are a nightmare to install...took me a couple of weeks.
I finished my sunroof on Sunday. It wasn't too bad, just had to take my time to make sure it came out nice. Tonight I hope to get the rest of the steering column installed and finish cleaning up the seat frame so I can send it off to get covered.
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