Maximum Weekend Showdown: Two Adorable 1959 Mini Cars, The Nash Metropolitan and the BMW Isetta
Welcome to the Sunday edition of the Hooniverse Weekend Showdown, where I comb the internet in search of unique things to bring to you, our patient readers here at Hooniverse. This past week was rough for all of us, and I thought I would do a few postings this weekend filled with eye candy, and have you vote for which of the two you would rather have, if youhad the means. I’m still scouring the St. Louis Car Museum Inventory, and look what I found, two 1959 Mini Cars…
Here is arguably the most recognized early mini cars, a least here in the states. It is a 1959 Metropolitan Roadster finished in a red-white two tone. This was a cooperative venture between Nash (later AMC) and Austin Motor Company in the UK. They were built in Austin’s Longbridge Assembly line, and exported primarily to the US and Canada.
Here is what the listing states:
Without a question one of the finest Metropolitans in existance. Absolutely gorgeous full restoration with nothing spared. Has factory radio, boot, Weather Eye and the first year for the very handy trunk. This is a rust free example both on top and bottom. Chrome is brilliant and paint shines like new. Interior is new and properly installed. There are a lot of “Mets” around, but to find one that someone spent so much time, money and just love of the car is very hard to find. It would cost well more than what we are asking to duplicate the quality restoration on this car. It is truly a masterpiece!
This car shows under 90,000 miles, and the asking price is $32,900. I promised the museum I wouldn’t comment on the price, but that’s not stopping you, right? See the entire listing here.
BMW was in a bit of a pickle during the late 50′s. By 1959 the automotive division of BMW was in financial difficulties and a shareholders meeting was held to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of Germany’s ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel. The rights to manufacture the Italian Iso Isetta were bought, the tiny cars themselves were to be powered by a modified form of BMW’s own motorcycle engine. And so, here is one of those 1959 models that helped BMW regain its footing, and what a beauty it is.
According to the listing:
The Isetta was one of the most successful microcars produced in the post-World War II years—a time when cheap, short-distance transportation was most needed across Europe. In 1957, Isetta of Great Britain began producing Isetta 300 models at their factory in the former Brighton railway works under licence from BMW. These particular cars were first registered in the U.K and have the unique single rear wheel as opposed to the twin. English built Isettas featured this unique trait so that owners could register them as motorcycles and avoid higher taxes. With space for two and their luggage, the Isetta 300 was perfect for the UK’s urban and rural roads.
This beautiful 1959 BMW Isetta 300 was subject to a recent restoration consisting of new paint, new interior, all new front and rear window seals, new door seal, new chrome and much more. Powered by a single cylinder 298cc engine and 4-speed transmission, the Isetta won’t set any speed records, but will draw attention and a smile on everyone’s face. This Isetta also features a reverse gear, an option not seen on all the cars built. The little Isetta runs and drives as it should.
Although it looks small in stature, two grown men over 6 foot tall can ride with comfort. It is being sold with its British registration. These Isetta 300’s have traditionally been a great investment and have continued to rise in value and popularity in recent years. If you have ever thought of investing in one, now is the time to buy. Prices for quality examples are continuing to climb worldwide.
Speaking of prices, the asking price for this piece of history is $29,900. See the listing here, including a video.
Loading ...Image Source: The St. Louis Auto Museum
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Tough I would love either, I have to pick the Isetta. Its quirky, Its fun, Its only opening door is in front and the steering wheel moves with it! A Metropolitan is just a Metropolitan, I see them fairly regularly, but Isettas are just plain rare in my area!
<img src="http://www.kellie.de/tv1/tv_isetta.jpg">
I like the Nash. The thought of my knees being a crumple zone makes me shy away from the Isetta. Being a Hoon, I like the fact that the Nash has the same engine as I think a Healy Sprite, so there are go-fast bits available for it. It needs a nice Weber hanging on the side.
The price on both of these desperately performance-challenged cars is eye-watering to say the least – hell, the Metro equals a nicely optioned 2011 Mustang GT. I have a hard time believing that even the best Isetta in the world is worth $30,000. If someone would offer me the choice as a gift, I'd take the Nash. As least it looks like a real car. The Isetta makes a Smart Car look serious and, as others have said, seems just a little too vulnerable.
If I had thirty thousand US dollaz in my pocket, a gun to my head and an obligation to buy one of these, it would be the Isetta. Chiefly because I'd live to know what one of these would drive like. The Nash is too, well, conventional. I was never a fan of it, US style car detailing doesn't dub very well over petite bodyshells. It's amazing how un-dated a '59 Mini looks in comparison.
Just remember, once you've bought the Isetta there's no backing out.
I have to abstain this round… I'd be more inclined to take the Nash. But for the price I can think of 30 other vehicles I would buy instead, all on the same day. And, STILL have gas money left over to get them all home.
These are beautiful showpieces, but because of that they are worthless to me as actual vehicles.
Yep, that's mine. Thanks! The whole micro vs. mini at some point becomes arbitrary, but I'm still not sure which group would have imposed the minicar definition on a Z600. The Vintage club specifically includes it and many other Hondas as microcars:
http://microcar.org/ourcars.html#h
And since you ask (go ahead, twist my arm…), here's a shot of my father and me loading my microcar behind my minicar at the end of World Meet 2010 for our 2100-mile drive home:
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4930751380_020505e30f_z.jpg" width="500">
with a brief writeup of an earlier towing exploit here:
http://bringatrailer.com/2010/06/25/bat-success-s…
Another tough choice, but I went with the Isetta. Just because it's the weirder of the two.
I have a friend who currently owns a green/white Metropolitan, and it's a neat little car. However, as a kid, my parent's best friends had a red Isetta that I used to go for rides in. I loved that little bubble car!
Give me the Isetta, I've got the Nash already. Still sitting in the barn though, waiting for a re-restoration.