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2006 Melbourne International Motor Show Auction
Lot
21

1959 Borgward Isabella Coupe

$15,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line four-cylinder, 1493cc
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Body Work Coupe
Colour Orange

Description

This lot is no longer available

An elegant, high quality range of saloons and coupes were designed by Dr. Carl Borgward of Germany in the 1950s and were largely assembled by hand in his Bremen factory.

Sold in relatively small numbers thanks to the relatively high prices when new, just 9,537 Isabella Coupes were built between 1957 and 1962 and very few survive to the present day. Mechanically, the Isabella was based on its saloon sibling but was always sold with the more powerful TS engine, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit with twin Solex twin-choke carburettors developing 75bhp and driving the rear wheels through a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox.

With fully independent suspension, the Isabella Coupe handled nicely and was a willing performer while inside the cabin was nicely appointed and quite roomy, allowing four adults to travel in style. The padded dashboard and large steering wheel are typically 1950s German and performance was surprisingly spritely for such a large car with a relatively small capacity engine.

With a strong following around the world and plenty of support from clubs both in Australia and overseas, ownership of an Isabella Coupe is certainly a rewarding experience and the car is certainly a highly individualistic alternative to other makes of the era.