Classic Cars
From Germany
BAYERSICHE MOTOREN WERKE A.G.
Bayersiche Motoren Werke
(Bavarian Motor Works), or BMW began as a
manufacturer of aircraft engines in 1917 and expanded into motorcycles in 1932.
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References
Such was their successes in aircraft engines that the factories were bombed
during the first world war and they were prevented from manufacturing anything
remotely associated with military equipment via the Treaty of Versailles. German
aircraft engines set multiple records in the 1920s and of course, the present
BMW logo was created in 1920, to resemble aircraft propellers.
BMW's entry into the car market was less than successful despite the
appearance of the well known Dixi models. These were essentially Austin cars
made under license with the Austin Motor Company of England between 1928 and
1936.
BMW did not really produce vehicles of its own design until 1932 when the
AM series of 4 models were sold mostly within Germany.
(*1)
The BMW 3/20PS also known as the AM1 (Automobile Munchen) was produced in 4
variants between 1932 and 1934 with small improvements with each model. The
engine remained largely based on the Austin A7 but with much local improvements
giving greater power and the first signs of German automotive ingenuity. On the
left is the final in this series, the AM4.
The Isetta began its life in 1953 as an Italian design by a manufacturer of
refrigerators and motor scooters and over its life, was produced in at least 5
countries. Only around 1,000 units were produced before BMW began negotiations
to take over production in 1954, 1 year before Italian production ceased.
From then on the Isetta became known as a BMW production and several larger
upgrades were produced during the next 8 years by which time 161,728 units had
been sold. (*3)
The BMW
700
(left) bore no resemblance to any of its forebears despite its direct
lineage to the Isetta and sharing for the most part, a similar 2 stroke, air
cooled 697cc motorbike engine.
Between 1959 and 1965, 188,211 of these cars were produced and are credited with
rescuing BMW from otherwise certain financial doom. A Sports and a nice looking
700 Sport
Cabriolet
(bottom) formed
part of the production.
(*4)
In the history of BMW the BMW 502 proved to be a decisive production with BMW's
first V8, leading its Mercedes V8 rival by 9 years.
This model offered many new safety features, excellent fuel consumption
(for this period), chrome trims for aesthetics, it came with a 2580cc or a
3168cc V8 engine.
This is arguably the forerunner of all future high class family cars from BMW.
The 502 above was also the predecessor and inspiration for what many BM fanatics
believe to be one of the greatest BMWs ever made - the BMW 507, in either
coupe or cabriolet.
Despite intentions to use the 507 to revive BMW's sporting image, the
costs of production more than doubled during its 3 year period from 1956 to
1959. Its enormous sale price meant that total production was less than 10% of
original targets and today, less than 200 models are known to exist, the most
recent 2009 sale price exceeding US$1 million.
Fortunately for BMW, another car (or class of cars) was to rescue the company
from bankruptcy. In 1962 one of the most successful range of cars ever produced
from Germany began with the Neue Klasse 1500. The range continued from 1962 to
1977 beginning with the 1500 which we must give credit to on these pages. 23,554
were produced between 1962 and 1964 providing the springboard for the amazing
1800 (1963 to 1972) with 146,960
unit production, the 2000 of 1966 to 1972 with
143,464 production, but most importantly, the wildly successful 2002 of 1966 to
1976 with production of 861,940. BMW was financially secured. Its reputation was
revived in the most astonishing way and the future of the marque, assured.
For collectors and restorers, the best cars will be the
1500
(top), the 1600, the
1800
(centre)
and the
2000CS
(bottom) models.
One can criticise my inclusion of 3 models here but one has to accept the
importance of this range. Without them, BMW may not exist today.
Riding on the success of the 4 cylinder Neue Klasse, BMW was now in a position
to challenge its competition in the luxury, large car market and it did so with
the introduction of a range of equally successful 6 cylinder models produced
between 1968 and 1977, the first of which was the 2500, followed by the 2800,
3.0L and in very short numbers the 3.3L. In most cases, the 2 door Coupe or CS
models drew all the attention and while many will demand the 3.0CSL, my choice
is the 2800 CS. In fact, for collectors and restorers, any of the CS
models are worth the relatively low cost.
So began what we now refer to as the 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series.
Chronologically, the 5 Series came first with the E12 models between 1972 and
1981 with total production of the 13 models and variations being 699,094 units.
The E12 began with the 520, followed by 525, 518, 530 and finally, 533 and 535
all with fuel injected variants. The best could be said to be the 528i
(left)
(*5)
The 2002 had been most responsible for BMW's ability to meet the challenges of
its competitors as well as of its financial insecurity. It was time to create a
replacement for the aging 2002 and the 3 Series was born in the form of a range
of compact, 2 door coupes and cabriolets with 4 engine sizes from a 1.6L up to a
2.3L 6 cylinder.
There were 1,364,039 built between 1975 and 1983 but the one
that attracts me is the standard 316 model.
Between 1976 and 1989, BMW built 86,216 of the new 2 door coupe, E24 or "6
Series". Before 1980, the 630CSi and 633CSi led the way for 3 later models. The
633CSi had the longest life and biggest production of all but this entire
range are both highly collectible and genuine classics. This is the 1979 model.
And
so we come to the pinnacle, or is it the beginning. The 7 Series. The ultimate
in BMW luxury. The E23. 285,029 produced between 1977 and 1986. The 1979 model
728i is featured here but any of this series is worthy of collecting and
with easy accessibility to parts, a beautiful restoration project.
Nominate your preference; Take a poll.
See my Blog.
*1 -
Fantasy Cars
*2 -
Wikipedia
*3 -
Micro Car Museum
*4 -
BMW 700
*5 -
First Fives
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