Rare collection of 8 classic microcars for sale

Small-scale classics

This funky collection of eight classic microcars was amassed over a 20-year period by a dedicated enthusiast in Dublin, Ireland, and now they’re for sale.

With a €170-180,000 estimate, the big group of little cars – dubbed the Coyle Collection, after their current owner – will be sold as a set.

They will be auctioned by David Golding Cars via an online sale on 22-29 October 2023.

Presented in chronological order, let’s take a look at these fun-size classic cars in more detail.

1. 1957 Fuldamobil S7

First is this three-wheeled Fuldamobil from 1957.

Produced by Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH in Germany, Fuldamobil was an early adopter of the cheap and cheerful bubble car formula following WW2.

The c320kg Fuldamobil’s 198cc single-cylinder, two-stroke engine produces 9.5bhp.

1957 Fuldamobil S7 (cont.)

This example came all the way from the Big Bengt Mini Museum in High Chaparral, a Wild West-themed amusement park in Sweden.

Being one of the first post-war bubble cars, current owner Mr Coyle was keen to add one to his collection.

1957 Fuldamobil S7 (cont.)

Built under licence in Sweden, this model is technically known as a Fram King Fulda.

The Fuldamobil was also sold as the Bambi in Argentina and the Bambino in The Netherlands.

2. 1958 Goggomobil T300

After the leisurely Fuldamobil, this Goggomobil T300 is positively sporty: it packs a 15bhp punch from its 298cc twin-cylinder engine.

This restored example was originally registered in the UK.

1958 Goggomobil T300 (cont.)

Collector Mr Coyle owned a similar Goggomobil T300 in the 1960s, and it’s apparently the car that started his obsession with microcars.

He said it was fun to drive while being reliable and, unsurprisingly, economical, too.

1958 Goggomobil T300 (cont.)

Nearly 175,000 T300s were made during the 1950s and ’60s, when bubble cars peaked in popularity.

And its rear-hinged doors beg the question: who needs a modern-era Rolls-Royce when you can have a T300?

3. 1958 Zundapp Janus 250

We all know the feeling: you unlock your car, open the door and hop in, only to realise you’ve done it again. You’re sitting in the boot.

Okay, maybe not all of us. But Zundapp owners must surely relate.

Other than a few details, the Janus 250 is identical at the front and rear – even back-seat passengers face the rear window.

1958 Zundapp Janus 250 (cont.)

Using mostly the same panels and components front and rear was a clever cost-saving design that allowed the company to streamline the pressings and tooling required to build the Janus 250.

Those familiar with Roman deities may already have noticed the Zundapp’s tongue-in-cheek name, too.

It’s called Janus, after the two-faced Roman god.

1958 Zundapp Janus 250 (cont.)

Mr Coyle spent around 15 years trying to track down a Zundapp Janus 250 for his collection. 

With the help of a German car club, he had this car restored and rebuilt using original components.

In 2018, he entered a microcar rally and drove the little Zundapp around 3000km from Liège, Belgium to Brescia in Italy.

4. 1959 Heinkel Kabine 153

The Heinkel Kabine is one of the most recognisable bubble cars.

And with a 50mph top speed, it’s surely one of the swiftest and most hair-raising models, too.

1959 Heinkel Kabine 153 (cont.)

Four people can squeeze in the Kabine and it features some impressive features usually associated with bigger, conventional cars: a safety windscreen, rack and pinion steering, plus an electric starter. 

It even has a reverse gear.

1959 Heinkel Kabine 153 (cont.)

This Heinkel was produced in Stuttgart, Germany, shortly before production moved to Ireland under licence.

In the 1960s, Heinkels were also built in the UK as Trojan 200s.

5. 1960 BMW Isetta 300

Another iconic bubble car, this restored BMW Isetta was imported to Ireland from the UK in 2017.

It’s finished in an original yellow-on-yellow colour scheme.

1960 BMW Isetta 300 (cont.)

BMW was in a financial crisis in the 1950s and it needed an affordable model that could turn a quick profit.

Strangely, its saving grace was Italian refrigerator and microcar manufacturer Iso Rivolta.

1960 BMW Isetta 300 (cont.)

BMW built the Isetta under licence for eight years, during which time it sold more than 160,000 examples. 

The little BMW has become something of a cult classic and it retains a faithful following.

6. 1960 Goggomobil Dart 400

If you’re brave enough to try, the pint-sized Goggomobil Dart will reportedly hit more than 60mph – we’ll take the maker’s word for it.

Mr Coyle found this example in Germany after 20 years of searching for one.

1960 Goggomobil Dart 400 (cont.)

It’s been fully restored and looks great in a sporty, red finish, like a Ferrari that’s shrunk in the wash.

Unlike a Ferrari, however, it’s powered by a 395cc two-stroke engine.

1960 Goggomobil Dart 400 (cont.)

Goggomobil Dart chassis were manufactured in Germany, before being shipped to Sydney, Australia and bodied by Buckle Motors.

Around 700 Darts were produced in period.

7. 1963 Messerschmitt KR200

Banned from building aircraft after WW2, German company Messerschmitt turned to manufacturing affordable microcars.

This restored KR200 is one of the highlights of the Coyle Collection.

1963 Messerschmitt KR200 (cont.)

Beneath the aeroplane-style canopy, the Messerschmitt KR200 has room for two people, sitting one behind the other.

In place of a conventional wheel, the KR200 is steered via a handling bar that’s connected directly to the track rods.

1963 Messerschmitt KR200 (cont.)

Production of the Messerschmitt, along with other bubble cars, wound down and eventually ended in the mid-’60s.

As countries recovered economically from war, there was less need for these affordable microcars.

The introduction of Alec Issigonis’ Mini didn’t help, either.

8. 1965 Goggomobil TS 250 Coupé

The newest car offered in the sale, this 1965 Goggomobil coupé, was the first bubble car that Mr Coyle acquired for his collection.

It was bought from a German museum in 2000 and it’s been reupholstered since.

1965 Goggomobil TS 250 Coupé (cont.)

Diminutive dimensions aside, the Goggomobil TS 250 looks reasonably like a conventional car, with a distinguishable boot and bonnet.

It is fitted with a rear-mounted two-stroke engine and a four-speed gearbox.

1965 Goggomobil TS 250 Coupé (cont.)

This later model has conventional doors, unlike the rear-hinged versions fitted to early TS 250s.

Mr Coyle drove this bubble car in the Gordon Bennett Rally, an annual classic car event held in Ireland.

Big (little) things lie ahead

If you’ve been bowled over by this charming collection of classic bubble cars, you can register to bid on the David Golding Cars website.

The set of eight microcars is expected to fetch between €170-180,000 when it’s auctioned online on 22-29 October 2023.

To find out more and view the collection, please click here.