BMW Isetta sells for record price at Barrett-Jackson Auction
$41,000 “hammer Price” plus Buyer’s premium = $45,100
But which Isetta was sold?
This is the car that was submitted by the seller : David A. Goldenberg Enterprises:
- pic of car as submitted by seller
This is the car that was actually SOLD:
thanks to Burt Richmond for the pic
Notice anything different? Is this the same car?
The Barrett-Jackson consignment form clearly states:
“You certify that all photos are true and accurate representations of the vehicle you wish to consign to Barrett-Jackson.”
Car looks similar but it has a completely different paint scheme, the front bumper seems to have been replaced with some aftermarket thing that does not appear to fit the door correctly (?) Look at the bumper-to-door molding, it is falling out. (click photo to see larger one)
At least it appears he put nice Coker whitewall tires on it.
If you are the buyer of this car, I hope the seller included the rear parcel shelf rack that is CLEARLY visible in the first pic but is nowhere to be seen in the car that was sold.
Also- I hope the seller did not just upgrade the paint, but also upgraded the engine compartment.
In the original photo, the engine is missing some bits, can you see what is missing?
(note: this “record” was from 2009, it was broken in 2010 CLICK HERE.)
original photo supplied by seller
Tags: auction, Barrett-Jackson, Isetta
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I’d say pretty much a diiferent isetta !! Lack of front mud flaps on the isetta that sold.. Chrome locking channel in the front weatherstrip, no predrilled holes for the rear luggage rack, front parking light screws different placment on both isettas, Front door seems to have been painted w/ weatherstrip installed, has overspray on it.. Wipers in different park positions. Sun roof is not uniform or taught on either isetta.. Both bumpers seem to have been assembled by the same person or persons w/o regard to the fitting of the grey weather strip..
The first isetta seems to have primer all over the driverside front nerf bar or cow catcher.. Engine is missing some original items as stated.. Fuel is leaking all over the aluminum fan housing cover.. Sure its from a lack of a overflow tube on the carburetor.. Gee, Can someone open up the door and show me the interior ?? lol Photos of the backside may reveal more ?? Just an observation by me is all.. Seems I could restore 3 isettas for this price ?? Jim..
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Here is a link to the original Barrett-Jackson listing with the original photos for more reference:
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/search/carlist_Details.aspx?&In_LotNumber=49
I don’t have images of the inside of the car that was sold, but on the video that I recorded, the interior has been changed from all gray to all BLACK for some reason (?)
they never took the engine cover off the car during the auction.
But while the car was on the stage being auctioned off, the big screens showed photos of the “original” car and you could plainly see it was different, but no one seemed to notice or care.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
The question really should be did it actually “sell?” Several people in the know of what goes on at B-J told me alot of these cars are “sold” to other dealers where no money ever changes hands. They just drive up the price between themselves and their own shill bidders. The next time the car comes up for sale it now has the B-J inflated stigma price attached and lead people into bidding on a “bargain”. Ask someone you personally know who sold a car there how well they did not being one of the players. Bet they only got “ok” money. You wonder why some cars go for stupid money while another just like it goes for much less? Its a players con game where you the outsider lose both buying & selling at B-J. Some of it is legit but not much. I personally know of people who did buy cars there and the cars were nothing of the quality they claimed they were. I question the quality of this car as well.
July 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I like the way you write! Nice blog.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:14 am
this is not good car from BMW company
August 31st, 2009 at 9:15 am
there is anyone from india comment
September 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
This indeed was the same car in the pictures. As Barrett-Jackson requires pictures well in advance, pictures were sent in before the car was finished. It was taken apart and completely repainted, along with the interior being redone, chrome replaced as needed, and detail of the engine compartment. The car did indeed sell to a new buyer, did set a world record. All parts used on the vehicle were purchased from Isetta-R-Us.
September 4th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
so where is the interior luggage rack that was in the original photos?
It is not in the car that was sold.
You signed a contract saying the photos were a true & accurate representation of the vehicle but it was not a true and accurate representation of the vehicle.
You changed the paint scheme and changed accessories that came with the vehicle.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Once again – as stated – Barrett-Jackson requires pictures (and original title, etc.) well in advance before they’ll consign your car. I purchased the car in reference, made Barrett-Jackson aware that the car was going to be repainted after the pictures were taken, took the car completely apart, did one of our typical restorations, and sold the car. The whitewall tires were new, from Coker, the front bumper was not “aftermarket”, and the interior metal rack was removed by us because (1) it was homemade and (2) it looked like crap. I encourge all of these people making negative cracks about one of my cars to restore one of these little gems. As we have done many of them now, I can tell you it’s a lot of work. I will also tell you that even after the car was finished and the paint scheme changed (to a factory correct scheme, mind you, with a correct “wide cleavage” front door), Barrett-Jackson was given the corrected pictures…it was THEIR choice not to update them in their database. It is never my intent to misrepresent any of the vehicles we sell, that is why my company has the excellent reputation that it does. I do not “buy back” any of the vehicles I sell with B-J, and in fact have had a relationship with them since 1988. In fact, if you look closely at the video footage of this car being sold – you will see my partner John on stage with what appears to be a look of anger; that was because there were two different bidders in the crowd trying to bid more on the car…and were not recognized by the auction staff. Funny thing too – Barrett-Jackson had no problems what so ever selling it. I will say one last thing….I had no idea this ridiculous blog was up until one of my guys told me about it this morning. I find it sad that we work so hard trying to restore these cars and keep them on the road because they’re awesome….only to see people picking apart our hard work. 2 of the last BMW micros we restored are in BMW dealerships in their owner’s personal collections…so we must be doing something right.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:23 am
As the original restorer of this car I want to put and end to the crap written about it. It was origianally done for a gentleman in wash state and was purchased years later by David Goldenberg Enterprises. The picture submitted by them for auction was as I restored it and the way they recieved it. After deciding it needed freshening, with new paint and some detailing, the car did look different. As to the comment about what car was sold, you damn well better know what your writing or I can assure you litigation will soon follow. David is above reproach and has never misrepresented a vehical to the best of my knowledge and especially about this vehical in question.