Glas Isar History

Presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1957 as the 'Goggomobil T600', volume production of what would become the Isar began in August 1958. Glas described it as a 'big Goggomobil', though the car was a full two-door four-seater rather than a microcar. Its styling reflected contemporary transatlantic fashion: a wraparound windscreen, small tailfins, and two-tone paint were all offered. Construction was monocoque steel, reinforced with box-section sill strengthening added in 1959.

The T600 used a 584 cc air-cooled flat-twin producing 20 PS; the T700 companion offered a 688 cc version good for 30 PS and a top speed of 110 km/h. In autumn 1959 Glas dropped the Goggomobil prefix and renamed the range the Glas Isar; a Kombi estate joined at the same time. Early warranty problems dented sales, but the car found a market as a step up from the Goggomobil. Between 1958 and 1965, Glas produced 73,311 Isar saloons and 14,274 Isar Kombis before the model was discontinued.