Borgward Isabelle Coupé

[scoot]

I thought I would share these pics of a recent addition to our car family...
1959 Borgward Isabella Coupé

[badali]

Very nice!!

[mclewis]

Yes, very nice.  Almost VW Karmann Ghia like, but better proportioned.

[scoot]

Yes, very nice.  Almost VW Karmann Ghia like, but better proportioned.

I think of it as a cross between a Karmann Ghia and a 190SL.  It's rather spacious and nicely engineered with things that you don't typically find in a German car from 1959 (electric windshield sprayer).  Manual drum brakes unfortunately, but still OK.   Good club support and parts support (not like MB of course).  But you can get parts and people are into them.

[mdsalemi]

When I get to Altadena, you are taking me for a ride. It's gorgeous!  Nice find.

A very cool car, with an interesting company history too...

[tom.hanson]

It uses the same oil filter as a 1962-1965 190Dc and the same tie rod ends.

[scoot]

It uses the same oil filter as a 1962-1965 190Dc and the same tie rod ends.

I had heard it used Mercedes tie rod ends.  I took the car into the shop 2 weeks ago for new tires and an alignment (yes, I had to bring the specs) and they said I needed a tie rod on one side.  I had heard it was the same as Mercedes (unknown which) from the era and the guy managed to match it to a Mercedes tie rod end.  I was pretty happy about that.   If you know of anything else that interchanges it would be useful.  I found out that the dome light is the same as early 60s Volvo...

[Montreal V8]

  Hi Scott. As a matter of interest, we had a small number of Borgwards driving around up here in Vancouver, many years ago. Haven't seen one for years now, but recall thinking how attractive they were. The standard Isabella was here, but I don't recall a coupe, although I was aware of them. There was also a rather squared off sedan, in red and was also good looking.  Congratulations on finding such a nice looking one, which I assume must be quite rare now.   Cheers,   Dale.

[scoot]

  Hi Scott. As a matter of interest, we had a small number of Borgwards driving around up here in Vancouver, many years ago. Haven't seen one for years now, but recall thinking how attractive they were. The standard Isabella was here, but I don't recall a coupe, although I was aware of them. There was also a rather squared off sedan, in red and was also good looking.  Congratulations on finding such a nice looking one, which I assume must be quite rare now.   Cheers,   Dale.

Thanks Dale, My husband and I owned a 1961 Coupé about 20 years ago, same color but with a sunroof.  That was one of the cars we most regretted selling.  We are pretty happy to have this one and just need to sort out a few things (like brakes) to make the car a little more road-worthy.  The shape and look has grown on me over the years and each day when I see it I like it more and more.  The 2 door sedans, wagons are nice cars also but not with the lines and beauty of the coupé.   We are happy owners.   Scott