1958 Borgward Isabella Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

Inhalte Verbergen

1 Technical Details:

2 Design:

3 Historical Significance:

4 Quirks and Pop Culture:

5 Display and preservation:

6 Conclusion:

Technical Details:

The Borgward Isabella was engineered as a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive mid-size car, a layout that balanced performance and everyday usability in post-war Germany. Power came from a longitudinally mounted inline four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1,493 cc. In standard form, the engine produced 60 PS at 4,700 rpm, while later and sportier specifications delivered up to 75 PS at 5,200 rpm, notably in the Isabella TS. These outputs translated into a top speed ranging from approximately 135 to 150 km/h, placing the Isabella among the quicker cars in its class during the late 1950s.

The chassis relied on a self-supporting steel body (Stahlblech), a modern construction choice that reduced weight and improved rigidity compared with traditional body-on-frame designs. This unitary structure was shared across the saloon and two-door estate (Kombi) variants. Braking and suspension were designed for a balance of comfort and control, suitable for Autobahn cruising as well as urban driving. From a technical perspective, the Isabella did not rely on radical experimentation; instead, it refined proven mechanical concepts and executed them to a high standard, which contributed to its reputation for brisk performance and solid road manners.

Manufacturer: Borgward (Deutschland)
Model Name: Borgward Isabella
Year of Manufacturing: 1955–1961

Design:

The Borgward Isabella’s exterior design reflected the clean, ponton-style bodywork that defined modern European cars of the 1950s. With smooth flanks, restrained chrome accents, and well-proportioned front and rear overhangs, the car appeared both elegant and contemporary. Subtle design changes across the production run allow knowledgeable observers to identify specific model years. The most frequently cited and visually clear update arrived with the 1958 model year: a redesigned dashboard featuring a fashionable Bandtachometer (strip speedometer), replacing earlier small round gauges. This wide, horizontal instrument display immediately modernized the interior and is one of the clearest indicators of a genuine 1958 Isabella, assuming the cabin remains original.

Further revisions followed in August 1958 for the 1959 model year. These included a smaller front rhombus badge, a straight side chrome strip instead of the earlier kinked version, and narrow, angled tail lamps borrowed from the Hansa 2400. Inside, the Isabella’s cabin was light and modern, with a particularly striking two-spoke steering wheel that drew attention and reinforced the car’s contemporary feel. Overall, the Isabella combined clarity of form with subtle stylistic confidence, aligning perfectly with the optimistic mood of the era.

Historical Significance:

Carl F. W. Borgward reportedly dismissed early naming discussions with the phrase, “Schreibt meinetwegen Isabella drauf,” and the name soon became one of the most recognizable in German automotive history. Introduced in 1954, the Isabella embodied the aspirations of the Wirtschaftswunder years. With 60 PS from a 1.5-liter engine—and later 75 PS in the TS—the Isabella could reach speeds comparable to far more expensive sports cars of the mid-1950s, including the Porsche 356.

The model built upon Borgward’s earlier successes with Hansa, including the Hansa 1500, which had already introduced innovations such as ponton bodywork and electric turn signals. The Isabella refined these ideas into a cohesive, desirable package that sold strongly, with total production reaching 202,872 units. It also outlived its maker: even after the Borgward group collapsed in 1961, final Isabellas were assembled in 1962 from remaining parts, cementing the car’s place as a lasting symbol of the brand’s ambition and ultimate downfall.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Beyond its technical and commercial success, the Isabella occupies a firm place in German cultural memory. It is widely regarded as a style icon of the Wirtschaftswunder, frequently celebrated for its embodiment of 1950s elegance and restrained optimism. The cabriolet version adds a particular note of fascination. Unlike the saloon and Kombi, the cabrio was not a standard Bremen body style. It was designed by Johannes Beeskow and built by Karosseriewerk Karl Deutsch in Cologne. Converting the Isabella’s self-supporting body into an open car required extensive reinforcement to restore stiffness, which significantly increased costs. As a result, only around 1,000 cabriolets were produced, making them rare and highly prized today.

The Borgward story has also been revisited in popular media. The television film “Die Affäre Borgward” dramatizes the company’s 1961 bankruptcy and features period footage of Borgward vehicles, including the Isabella, anchoring the model firmly within Germany’s mid-20th-century automotive narrative.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Classic Expo Salzburg in 2021. As one of Austria’s premier classic car events, the show has established itself as a central meeting point for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts from across Central Europe. The 2021 edition took place at Messezentrum Salzburg and featured more than 250 exhibitors, along with a strong turnout of over 20,000 visitors. Attendees could explore a broad range of offerings—from historical vehicles and motorcycles to automobilia, spare parts, and literature.

Conclusion:

The Borgward Isabella stands as a well-engineered, thoughtfully designed car that captured the spirit of its time. Its solid technical foundation, identifiable design evolution—especially the 1958 Bandtachometer dashboard—and strong historical context make it a compelling subject for enthusiasts and historians alike. Whether as a saloon, Kombi, or rare cabriolet, the Isabella remains a clear reflection of post-war German ambition, innovation, and style.