1957 Borgward Isabella Coupe
Commercial production of Borgward’s Isabella Coupé began in January 1957, following favorable press reception of four hand-built prototypes. The shortened roofline and 2+2 configuration set the Coupé apart from its sedan sibling, resulting in what many regarded as the most attractive design in Borgward’s lineup.
American-influenced styling cues complemented the modern unitary body construction, which was still relatively advanced for the period. The combination gave the Isabella Coupé a contemporary appearance that stood out among European competitors.
Power came from a 1,493cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine producing 75 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, known as the TS (Touring Sport) specification. This engine, first introduced in the Isabella Cabriolet, allowed a top speed of approximately 95 mph while delivering what period testers praised as excellent road manners.
Power was delivered through a four-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted shifter. The drivetrain emphasized smoothness and flexibility rather than outright performance.
Borgward positioned the Isabella between mass-market offerings from Ford and Opel and premium models from Mercedes-Benz. This strategy proved effective, with the Isabella becoming the Bremen manufacturer’s best-selling model.
Production continued through 1962, contributing to a total of 202,862 Isabellas built across all body styles. The Coupé in particular represented Borgward’s response to softening sedan sales during 1955 and 1956.
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