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The BMW 328 set the hearts of car fans racing the moment it appeared on
                                                          the roads. Its elongated bonnet secured with heavy leather straps, its ele-                                                                  BMW 328
                                                          gant lines and its rejection of anything superfluous make it the epitome of
                                                          the sports car.                                                                                                                                          464     (1936 – 1939),
                                                                                                                                                                                                       No. of units
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   including race models
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Original price  7,400 reichsmarks

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Engine      six-cylinder in-line

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Capacity    1,971 cc
                                                          fashion,  frequently even outclassing higher-performance rivals.    they are now historical motoring gems of  the 1940 Mille Miglia. After the war, this
                                                          One of the secrets of the new BMW two-litre sports car was sys-     inestimable value. These  cars  would  run of success was to be continued for  Bore x stroke  66 x 96 mm
                                                          tematic lightweight construction.                                   cross the Alps under their own steam in  many years, albeit under other names.
                                                              The production model tipped the scales at little more than 800  adventurous circumstances to take part  Right up until 1958, sports cars were  Output  80 bhp at 5,000 rpm
                                                          kilograms which, coupled with its 80 horsepower engine, made for    in the “Gran Premio delle 1000 Miglia”,  being created that owed their appeal not
                                                          an unrivalled power/weight ratio, ensuring rapid acceleration and a  the toughest car race in the world.  least to  the engine of the BMW 328 –  Transmission  four-speed stick shift
                                                          top speed of up  to 150 km/h. At production launch in 1937,  the       A  total of 464 BMW 328 models   even names like  Veritas, Bristol and
                                                          lightweight roadster was one of the fastest German cars next to the  were  built between April 1936 and  Frazer-Nash had, and still have, connois-  Brakes  drum brakes
                                                          powerful Mercedes supercharged models.                              September 1939. By 1940,  they had  seurs pricking up  their ears on  that
                                                              There followed the special versions with Superleggera bodies.   taken part in 172 national and interna-  account. Anyone privileged  to drive a  Weight  830 kg
                                                          Here the 328 swapped its everyday outfit for a tailor-made suit from  tional events.  The  final  tally: 141 wins,  BMW 328 today is experiencing motor-
                                                          Italy when a handful of beautiful and successful ultra-lightweight  including legendary achievements such  ing history in one of its most sensuous  Top speed  150 km/h
                                                          models were built. Pacesetters in automotive design of their day,   as overall victory and the team trophy in  manifestations.


        Page 10                                                                                                                                                         Mobile Tradition live / 75 Years of BMW Automobiles Special  Page 11
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