Sale of 1957 BMW Isetta at Mecum Auction to Benefit Future of the Hobby

The Collectors Foundation, in cooperation with Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers, is selling a distinctive 1957 BMW Isetta Model 300 during Mecum’s 10th Annual Chicago Fall Premier Auction in St. Charles, Illinois, Oct. 14 – 16. All proceeds from the sale of the unique Isetta “bubblecar” will directly benefit the ongoing work of the Foundation.

“We’re extremely grateful to John Hollansworth of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, who donated this finely restored example from his collection for this charitable effort,” says Collectors Foundation Executive Director Bob Knechel. “We’d also like to thank the Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers for their help with this enterprise. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful endeavor that ensures we will continue to enjoy our classics well into the future.”

One of the most successful microcars produced in post-WWII Europe, the Isetta originated in Italy but was subsequently built in a number of countries including Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and Britain. The diminutive three-wheeled little beauty provided inexpensive and reliable short-distance transportation, and because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows it was quickly dubbed the “bubblecar.”

The winning bidder will not only be making a major contribution to a charitable cause that serves the entire collector car hobby, helping to support students pursuing degrees in automotive restoration, funding library and research facilities and select museum educational programs, but he/she will be adding one of the most unique automotive examples ever produced to their own collection.  Drive away in this 1957 BMW Isetta (Lot # D Zero) knowing that all proceeds benefit a great hobby.

The Auction opens Fri., October 14 at 11 a.m. and continues Sat., October 15 at 10 a.m. and Sun., October 16 at 11 a.m. For details on the auction and a schedule, visit www.mecumauction.com. For more about the Foundation, go to www.collectorsfoundation.org.

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