Public response to the Isetta was gratifying to BMW, but as it was considered by many to be too small, it was decided to go "up a class" and produce a larger car with room for four.

Management by May 1956 had already committed to the introduction of the BMW 700 (our coupe quiz candidate from last month), a totally new design, by 1959 so the 600 was seen as an easily produced interim model using already existing Isetta production equipment.

The 1956 prototype did indeed look like a stretched Isetta, with its stock 2-tone front door and Isetta bumpers, but with the wheelbase lengthened by 165cm and R67 boxer motor driving full-width axles.

August 1957 saw the proper introduction of the model, to universal acclaim. Stylish looks (Michelotti had been involved) with its new "knife edge" bumpers, fantastic room inside with rear seat access by a side door. The motor no longer sat in the passenger compartment.

The 600 was quiet, with wheels at each corner design giving a great ride, and there was sufficient power for hill-climbing. It was even available with a Saxomat automatic transmission. The two cylinder engine boasted a whopping 26 horsepower, but it got the car up to about 60mph.

Despite all its virtues, excellent build quality, space utilization, and ride quality, there was no denying that by 1959 the population wanted a normal-looking "real" car, and in particular the new in-house BMW 700, which was to eventually sell to the tune of 182,000 examples.

At the end of 1959, after only 35,000 examples had been built, the 600 was phased out in favor of the 700.