I’ve always believed that classic British sports cars make an ideal first restoration project for enthusiasts due to their engineering and construction simplicity. Sitting right on their tails are post-war European microcars because they offer those same features in a smaller package requiring less workshop space. This 1957 BMW Isetta 300 is one such car, and its ace is that it is a rust-free classic requiring no cutting or welding. The new owner could select a faithful refurbishment, although there are possibilities that would provide significant performance gains. It is listed here on Facebook in Hull, Georgia. The seller’s price is $5,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting this tiny classic.

Many parts of Europe were left ravaged after World War II, and governments faced the enormous task of rebuilding infrastructure and returning financial stability to their countries. However, such tasks couldn’t fall entirely at the feet of the government, and many realized the best way to stimulate the economy was to allow the population to access affordable transport. Fuel and steel were in short supply, so small and economical cars proved the perfect way to get people moving, earning, and spending. It was from this thinking that the microcar emerged. Companies like Messerschmitt, Bond, and Fiat joined the party, with Iso releasing the original Isetta in 1953. BMW negotiated with Iso in 1954, buying the rights and tooling for the Isetta and releasing its variant in 1955. The racing stripes were the first things I noticed in the supplied photos of this Isetta. Given the mechanical specifications of these classics, that addition could be diplomatically described as aspirational. If we look beyond that, the news is generally favorable. The Isetta developed a reputation for rust, particularly in the floors. However, this one is rock-solid. There appears to be some Bondo around the driver’s side taillight, but that is the extent of the panel issues. The frame carries a coating of surface corrosion, but cleaning and restoring it would be a satisfying task undertaken in a home workshop. The windshield is cracked, but the remaining glass looks good. The buyer will face some shopping because this classic requires a few minor trim pieces and other items like light lenses.

The news is less positive when we examine this BMW’s interior. It is a “what you see is what you get” proposition, and like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, this one is bare. It appears the wiring, switches, and gauges are intact, but there are no seats or upholstery pieces. It isn’t the end of the world because seat frames and other items regularly appear on online auction sites. Several companies specialize in interior trim kits and other parts, and scouring online forums suggests that a company called Isettas R Us, located in Woodstock, Georgia, supplies the best products.

BMW outfitted the Isetta 300 with a 298cc single-cylinder four-stroke powerplant generating a dizzying 13hp. That power is fed to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, and thanks to a curb weight of 772lbs, it is possible to measure the Isetta’s ¼-mile ET with a stopwatch rather than a calendar! The journey still takes a leisurely 28.5 seconds, with the motor running out of breath as the needle nudges 50mph. Potential buyers face decisions with this classic because the original engine is gone. Sourcing a replacement should not prove challenging if a faithful refurbishment is their goal. However, I have seen builders bolt more modern and powerful BMW motorcycle engines to the Isetta’s standard gearbox to extract significant performance improvements. It won’t create a muscle car, but it could be an option worth closer investigation if originality isn’t a key consideration.

Microcars don’t appeal to everyone but enjoy a strong following in the classic community. The most desirable examples of the Isetta are the Cabriolet variants, which regularly change hands for more than $50,000. Sedans don’t command the same prices, but a spotless and original car can still nudge $40,000. This one can never be numbers-matching, but locating the parts required for a faithful refurbishment is possible. If the new owner completes the build to a high standard, $30,000 could still be within their reach. Considering the purchase price and the lack of rust, that should make this 1957 Isetta 300 a project worth close consideration.