1937 | BMW 328

1937 International Automobile and Motorcycle Exhibition IAMA in Berlin. Visitors crowd around a small sports car at the BMW stand. It was already clear at the time that the BMW 328 presented here would become a racing icon.

The BMW 328 was presented to the public here after a phenomenal performance in the 1936 Eifel Race. The BMW 328 was far ahead of its time. Its 2.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine was a technical masterpiece, producing an output of 80 hp - a remarkable figure for the era. The vehicle's aluminium body, its low weight of approx. 830 KG and its excellent weight distribution made it an outstanding sports car. These factors gave the car remarkable manoeuvrability and performance, which are still admired by enthusiasts today.

The technical equipment was above average for the time and so the road to the racetracks was mapped out. Race wins and class victories on all major racetracks testify to its top performance in the popular 2.0-litre class.

Sporting successes

The BMW 328 was an extremely successful racing car in the late 1930s and early 1940s and has an impressive racing history. These victories and placings cemented the BMW 328's reputation as a powerful and reliable racing car and helped to create the legend of this model, of which only 464 were built. The power-to-weight ratio, the beautiful, streamlined aluminium body and the innovative technology showed a clear plan - the BMW 328 was an outstanding sports car and built for the race track. A legend in German racing history.

Design and equipment

The design of the BMW 328 was not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing. Its flowing lines, smooth curves and timeless exterior make it a masterpiece of automotive design. The interior was minimalist in design, yet offered maximum comfort for driver and passengers. The high-quality materials and attention to detail emphasised BMW's reputation for quality and style.

Production

The BMW 328 was built at the Eisenach plant. The 2.0 litre engine blocks used here had a long history at BMW and were the basis for many series production engines, even after the war. BMW used the block, for example, in the 501, the legendary 507 and EMW, the successor to BMW in Eisenach, in various EMW models. It was also possible for other sports car manufacturers such as Veritas and AFM in Germany or Frazer Nash and Bristol in England to work with the blocks. This means that authentic material can be used for restorations and the rebuilding of destroyed vehicles.

According to the BMW Veterans Club, the vehicle with chassis number 85044 was delivered to the company Autotrakt in Breslau on 2 June 1937 as a BMW 328 - Race in white. Based on the delivery specifications, it can be assumed that the vehicle was built for racing purposes. The car then travelled to Norway in 1946, where it was registered to Björn Öwre from Oslo in 1963. Unfortunately, nothing is known about its subsequent journey. The frame with the number 85044 was then found in Mr Öwre's collection and brought back to Germany.

From then on, the exciting work began to rebuild a drivable vehicle that came close to the original.

As the frame was perforated and also had mounts for a larger fuel tank, it can be assumed that the original car was prepared for racing.

The renowned ‘Restaurationsbetrieb für Historische Fahrzeuge In de Frey - Weinberg’ is responsible for the restoration, which was also documented.

There was nothing left of the original bodywork. A new, true-to-original outer skin was made by hand from aluminium, as was originally the case with the 328 racing cars. A BMW engine block like the original served as the basis for the engine. An original BMW cylinder head, matching racing pistons, a sharper camshaft and a special crankshaft with dry sump lubrication were also used. The result is an impressive 100 hp. More powerful shock absorbers were installed in order to transfer the power safely to the road.

Today, the BMW 328 is in exceptional condition. The work carried out shows the high level of expertise of the restoration company. The specifications allow the car to be used without any problems in historic races and rallies or simply for a nice excursion.

Many photos and documents document the history of this extraordinary vehicle. A special piece of racing history, restored to a high standard.