1959 Borgward Isabella coupe - Gorgeous look; Great driver!

1959 Borgward Isabella coupe Description

Offered is my 1959 Borgward Isabella coupe. The car grades out as a very good looking, and very good driving, driver. It has but 58,000 original milesandhas been repainted. The interior is original and has some needs, but I have been driving it for the past three years as it is, so it isn't so bad that I felt compelled to do something about it just yet. It is excellent mechanically, shows very, very well, and you certainly won't see another at your local car show!

Some history on this particular car: I know it was purchased out of New Jersey some time in the late 1980s but a US-German citizen who lived in Va. When he purchased it it had recently been repainted from its original white to the beautiful two tone combination you see today. He drove it for about 3 years, and which time it had some brake and carb issues, and (this will sound familiar to may) - he parked it in his garage and there it sat for about 23 years - till I purchased the car 3 years ago.

Before I purchased it, the current owners sons, in an effort to get it driveable and sellable, had some work done to the car: The carb, fuel linesand fuel pump were rebuilt; the gas tank was cleaned out and lined; brakes and brake lines were done; and generally cleaned it up.

When I got the car it drove well but, as I always do, I had my mechanic go thru the whole car, and in the past three years we have (actually, he has - I just paid for it!!! LOL).

- four new white wall tires

- new battery, battery cables and disconnect

- redid the rear axle boots

- repaired some minor rust holes in the floorpan

- flushed and tested the radiator, replaced hoses

- rebuilt the water pump, replaced the fuel pump

- lastly, we replaced the carb with a weber (I had a lot of email exchanges with the Borgward people in Europe and they all recommended this change. From them I bought an aluminum adapter,bought the right Weber carb, and we installed them. BOY, has it made a difference - amazing now - best change I've ever made to any car I've ever owned)!!!!

DRIVEABILITY: Fine, surprisingly good actually for a 4 cylinder from 1959 (as stated above, the weber carb helps that a lot). Also, the 4 speed is definitely a plus in a car like this. Has no problem at all keeping up with traffic. As for the brakes - they are drum brakes, like our parents use to drive, and once you get use to them they are good too. Driveability with this car is not really an issue at any level,

Life is not all roses, of course, and neither are old cars. As for its looks, its driveability, etc., all is good. There are some "detail" issues that you may want to address - none of which really bother me at all - but they are there:

- see the picture of the rear bumper - right rear corner has some corrosion. It looks like someone had a parking sticker, or college sticker, stuck on there and it has mucked up the corner.

- see the picture of a 2-3" strip of missing paint, which has some surface rust. This is the lip just below the rear license plate.

- the horn doesn't work - a new problem I just found when I get the car out this Spring.

- some pitting on the rear indicator light spears

- there is a roof scratch (there is a picture of it)

- interior - carpets are OK. Actually quite good for what I believe is the original carpeting. The driver's seat has a number of tears (see picture), with the passenger's seat having a couple of much smaller splits. (Dash is in fine condition).

I have some spares that come with the car, along with a parts manual, a workshop manual, and an owner's manual. Also, I will be sending along the original carb, and the original air cleaner assembly.

PARTS: Everyone always asks about parts for these cars - not really a problem. There is a guy in New York who can get you just about everything you need for these cars. Plus, there are many parts available in the U.S. (after all, it was a German car from 1959 - not all that many manufacturer's were making brakes, etc., back them - so parts are often interchangeable with Mercedes, Porsche, etc). As a last resort, there are excellent Borgward clubs in Europe who are always ready to assist.

I think that covers everything - if not, or if you need more info - please email me. tks, Ray

P.S. WHY AM I SELLING IT: Well, I am just about to turn 72 years old - and am in the process of selling off my cars (recently sold my MG-B, my MG-TD, and my Alfa Giulietta) - and am shortly going to be selling my Nash Healey and my 1951 Citroen Traction Avant restored. It is time to jump into a new Caddy, or MB, and not an old German or British car........

POSSIBLE TRADES: I would be willing to work out some sort of trade and, for example: a 1964-1966 Mustang Fastback; maybe an AMX; an Avanti; for example.

Seller states that this vehicle has a clear title, is owned by the seller and that the vehicle is free from any liens, liabilities and any other claims. Seller has no knowledge of any hidden defects in and to the vehicle and believes, to the best of the seller's knowledge, that the vehicle being sold is in good operation condition. Vehicle is sold "as is", and is presented and offered with no guarantees expressed or implied.

Buyer to pay all taxes, feels and transportation costs.