BMW Isetta 600
The BMW Isetta 600 represented a significant evolution from the original bubble car design. Stretching the wheelbase and adding a side door, it could accommodate four passengers in surprising comfort. The 582cc flat-twin engine produced 19 horsepower, sufficient for a top speed of 103 km/h. While retaining the quirky front-opening door, the 600 offered genuine practicality for families.
The Isetta 600 is rarer than the 300 and commands higher prices. Check for rust in the floor pan and around the door hinges. The flat-twin engine is robust but parts are increasingly scarce. Verify authenticity as some 300s have been modified to resemble 600s. Restored examples trade between $18,000-35,000.
Production ran from 1957 to 1959 with 34,813 units built. The 600 was developed to bridge the gap between the tiny Isetta 300 and BMW's larger sedans. It shared its engine with BMW's motorcycle range.