Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1962 BMW Isetta 300 with Paxton Trailer
No Reserve
Registration No: 651 KUO
Chassis No: A332022
MOT: Exempt
On offer from the estate of the late David Neve
Restored by the late owner and then laid up for a number of years, and will now be a rewarding recommissioning project
An original Brighton-built car
Supplied as one lot with a customised Paxton trailer for transport
One of the more successful designs of the micro-car era was the BMW Isetta. By 1959 they were powered by a 297cc engine was reckoned capable of 65mph and 55mpg. Approximately 162, 000 Isettas had been made by the time production ceased in 1962. This 'big' Isetta 300 The most memorable aspect of the design was the steering wheel and dashboard were attached to and moved with the opening fridge-like door to facilitate entry. From 1957, the two-seater Isetta incorporated sliding side windows for better ventilation.
Understood to have been built at the Brighton works in 1962, chassis ‘A332022’ is understood to retain its original registration number ‘651 KUO’, which is original to the North Devon area. Little is known of the early history of the little Isetta, however it is believed to have been re-registered with the DVLA on the 8th October 1992, when it was recommissioned for the road. The previous owner, Mr M Paxton purchased the car in 1994 and in 2013, the car was subject to a comprehensive body-off restoration, which included a full repaint into the blue that it presents in today. According to a previous sale advert by Mr Paxton that is supplied with the history file the body was stripped from the chassis which was fitted with a complete new rear section and then powder coated. Most of the fittings were replaced during this time which included the rubbers and seals, leaf spring and shock absorber, wheels bearings, brake pipes, wiring harness and bushings. The engine was found to be in remarkably good condition; thus, it was treated to a clean and a new exhaust silencer to aid the running. Internally, the seat was recovered in leather which has improved the experience for the occupants dramatically and a new rubber floor mat was fitted. The result of all this hard work was that during 2015 the quirky little car won the Isetta Owners Club ‘Restoration of the Year’ award.
The late owner and father of the vendor, Mr David Neve, purchased the iconic two-stroke machine from Mr Paxton in June 2019, and it came supplied with the Paxton trailer that it is to be sold with today. Mr Neve’s son recalls that his father was exceptionally proud of his microcar collection and would often be seen around Norfolk at different car shows with them before his passing earlier in 2024.
Mr Neve’s declining health meant that his collection had not been used for some time, so all lots will require some level of mechanical attention prior to their usage. ‘651 KUO’ is to be supplied with a modest history file consisting of the UK V5C, old style V5 from the previous owner, a spare gasket set for the engine, an original workshop manual and of course the Paxton Trailer as photographed. We are honoured to be offering the car collection directly from the family at No Reserve at our Duxford Imperial War Museum sale.
