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All Original 1958 BMW 600 “Limo”

My apologies for the fuzzy opening photo but the money shot was a tiny thumbnail so once it was enlarged to fit this format it looks more than a little blurry. The next photo of this 1958 BMW 600 is basically the same exact angle but a bigger image. The seller has this one posted here on craigslist in Carmel, New York with no asking price as they also have it posted here on eBay. The current bid price is $5,600 but the reserve isn’t met yet. Vielen Dank an Gunter K für die Einsendung dieses Tippes! (Thanks, Gunter!)

Ahhh, that’s more like it. These are really interesting cars, to say the least. A front-opening door?! There’s no automatic braking or lane-change warning camera here, this is a small, cool, slow, smokey, loud, dangerous car, exactly the thing that the car Gods meant for us to drive! Who’s with me?! Enough of that, back to this BMW 600 “Limo”.

There’s the hook with the 600, sometimes known as the Limo. It has an extra door to make it easier for passengers to get into the back seat. They are small cars, there’s no question about it, but they were never meant to be driven on American freeways so I don’t know why those comments come up every time. Yes, you do not want to hit a Chevy Suburban head-on with an Isetta or 600, so just don’t do that. Just drive them where they were meant to be driven and you’ll be fine. Life is full of risks, you just have to be careful, think about what you’re doing, pay attention to your surrounding bonehead drivers and you’ll be fine. They’re small city cars made for commuters in post-war Germany and other countries and they’re a bit smaller than a Subaru 360, believe it or not – that’s small.

The BMW 600 was a nice transition between the really small single-door front-seat-only Isetta and what was coming next: the BMW 700. The 700 was a much more car-like vehicle than this bubble car was and would be much easier to live with on a daily basis, but it wouldn’t draw a crowd everywhere you go, in case that’s important to you or not. You can see that the whole dash and steering wheel swing away when the front door is opened. Very cool.

The seller says that this car is in good condition and it does look good compared to a lot of them that we see. It starts right up, runs, and stops – I like my vehicles to do all of those things if possible. This is a BMW 582 cc boxer-twin with about 20 horsepower. I would love to have one of these cars, have any of you owned one?

Comments

  1. Avatar David Zornig

    Only the eBay link works.
    The Craigslist post is under review.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

      I’m glad that I put that eBay link in there now. Thanks, David!

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Kim

    I have one that I rescued from a scrap metal yard with no engine or interior. I’m not sure if it’s restorable as I haven’t seen many parts for sale. An engine would be a good starting point.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Rick in Oregon

      Hey Kim, I have a block for one sitting in my shop if you need one, its a bare block but one none the less. I suspect the boxer twin bike parts would bolt right on too…..

      Like 6
      • Avatar Kim

        I’m interested. I’m in Eastern Idaho. I get over that way occasionally but I’m not planning any trips right now. I’m building a new house and that’s got me pinned down for a while.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Lowell Peterson

      ’60’s BMW twin

      Like 0
    • Avatar scottymac

      Kim,
      I had to drive from Indiana to Delaware to purchase an engine core for my 700. Occasionally, BMW will make a limited run of parts for their “heritage” cars; was able to buy a new front fender for my Coupe couple of years ago, but pricey, $650. Good luck with your search.

      Like 0
      • Avatar chrlsful

        I use (the workin stiffs like U’n me) LTTF contractors’n stay away from the brokers. Also the “mail guys” (DHL, FedEx Ground, USPS, etc). uShip worked but is almost all brokers now (increased price, ‘more hands on the plow’ = more screw-ups & communication problems).

        Like 1
    • Avatar Bill the Engineer

      Why not convert it to electric? The conversion would be similar to an old VW.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Rick in Oregon

      Hey Kim email me at rickcjmc@aol.com and we can get it out to you. It’s boxed and ready to ship. I’ll grab some photos for you

      Like 0
  3. Avatar misterlou Member

    @ScottyGilbertson, just a gentle reminder from a motion picture worker that the origins of the term “money shot” can be found in the last few scenes of all x-rated films. Just sayin’.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Howie Mueler

    $6,100 now, with reserve still not met.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar CharlesS

    My parents owned the twin to this car back in the day. They also owned a 59 Buick Invicta wagon, so needless to say the BMW was thier second car. They had owned a couple of Isetta’s, but moved up to the 600 when my baby sister was born. They were satisfied with thier Isettas and the 600, however they understood what the purpose of these cars were. Dad compared them to an enclosed motor scooter.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Gerard Frederick

    The reason for the low power output of 19.9 hp was a stupid German government law condemming any vehicle with over 20 hp to pay sales taxes. The engine can easily be tweaked to put out 35 horses – well, when new of course. The low power output is what made my brother sell his back in the day – he felt intimidated by even a VW beetle and couldn´t handle the slow exaleration.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Jon

    Was on fb marketplace a few weeks ago from another owner for $5k I tried to buy then but missed it. Looks solid

    Like 1
  8. Avatar chrlsful

    this is the 1 I like due to the 4th wheel.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    chrlsful,

    The smaller Isetta cars have 4 wheels, but the back ones are only a few inches apart.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Scotty Gilbertson Staff

    Sale update: the craigslist ad was flagged and is now removed, but the eBay auction ended at $13,300 with no sale.

    Like 0

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