[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Isetta questions

I recently saw a '57 Isetta for sale in someone's driveway.  I'd never seen
one before-Cute and funky little thing.  Anyway it got me thinking that it
might be fun small auto to restore and putts around town in (my wife was even
thinking this would be fun- wow!)  Which brings me to my inquiry...  
- - Obviously I don't know anything about this car, where can I learn more
about it? 
- - Were there many manufactured and brought to the US?  The note in the window
did say it was a USA model.
- - Are parts available for this car?  
- - Are they still street legal?  
- - What is the top speed?- assuming a properly functioning engine.  Rather
simple instrument panel- just a speedo
- - What is the value of these cars- if restored?  less then perfect condition?

Condition of the car:  at first drive by it looked to be in okay condition.
 Closer inspection reveiled alot of body filler (evident because of the
course sand paper scratches still visible through the paint.  Interior is a
mess- shag carpet on rear deck, thread bare seats with a great deal of
fibrous stuffing and springs showing through, no interior trim panels.  There
is also a after market (I assume) yellow tinted bubble sunroof.  The owner
wasn't around so I did not see if it was running.  The engine cover was on
the ground leaning against the car so I did see that it had an engine.  There
was undercoating on the undersides of the fender so I could not see that
metal there.  Are the front fenders and the wheel well separate pieces of
sheet metal? (I ask this because there was a definite thickness between the
two.)

- - Is a car like this worth working on?  (from a "what might it be worth when
its done point of view")
- -The owner had $2800 posted on the car- it seems high based in the condition
of the interior and the poor finish of the exterior bodywork (the lines did
look quite true though)  
- - If I were to do a closer inspection what should I look for?  

I didn't think of it until after we left but do any of the windows open?  

I would like to call the owner but want to be better prepared.
Any advice would be appreciated  Thanks,  Joe Ruedinger  ([email protected])

P.S. there was a very strange movie that came out a 11+ years ago called
"Brazil" directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame.  The character (he
now does the Infiniti automobile commericials) drove and distroyed a car that
looked somewhat like an elongated version of the Isetta anyone know what this
car was?