Turned to car manufacture
after successfully manufacturing aero engines
(from which the emblem is derived), and then
motorcycles. Took over the Dixi concern, who
were manufacturing Austin Sevens under licence,
slowly expanding its range, the majority featuring
a glorious 6 cylinder engine.
Concentrated on
motorcycle construction during the war, then
from the ruins choose to manufacture exclusive
and expensive limousines. Able to fund the development
of sports cars by building, under license, the
hugely successful Iso Isetta bubble car. After
many close calls, things did not look good for
the marque in the late 1950's, the make or break
model was the 1961 1500 saloon.
The formula
used was to build a sublime chassis more befitting
a true sports car, equip it with an eager but
economical engine and have it power through
the rear wheels - this same formula is used
today. Also see BMW
Heritage
1936 - 1940
The combinantion of a light-weight body and fully independant
front suspension set new standards for the time, offering
levels of roadholding, cornering and handling precision
previously unheard of. It is no wonder then that many
collectors consider the 328 to be the best sports car
of the 1930's. More>>
1955 - 1959
The BMW 507 was arguably one of the most beautiful cars
of the 1950's. Built to add a glamour car to increase
American sales as well as well as boost their flagging
post war image, BMW used Albrecht Goertz to design their
new sportscar.More>>
1955 - 1962
With folding roof and wrap around rear window, the driver
and passenger entered via a front hinged door that also
lifted the steering wheel when opened. More>>
1967 - 1972
Alpina's Bavarian headquarters took a BMW 1600 2-door sedan (then BMW's smallest car), installed a super-tuned 2-litre BMW engine (BMW's biggest engine) and all the attendant devices necessary to bring the chassis specifications in line with the engine. More>>
1971 - 1975
The CS coupes are among the best of all BMW classics,
it has one of the best six-cylinder engines in the world
- powerful, smooth and refined. More>>
1971 - 1975
The CSL was first produced in May 1971 as a lightweight
version of the six cylinder coupe and to homologate for
European Touring Car Group 2 races. It had thinner body
panels, no front bumper, fibreglass rear bumper, racing
latches to the bonnet, side windows made from Plexiglass
and alloy-skinned opening panels, all to aid in weight
reduction. More>>
1972 - 1973
The BMW turbo was built during 1973, a period that saw
skyrocketing fuel prices. Rare and definitely exciting,
the BMW 2002 is now one of the most collectable 1970's
BMW's. More>>
1974 - 1977
The 3.3L Limousine came at a time when Europe was suffering from rising inflation and rushing towards poverty, while Germany, who had lost the war, was very obviously winning the Industrial battle of the 1970s.The 3.3L Limousine came at a time when Europe was suffering from rising inflation and rushing towards poverty, while Germany, who had lost the war, was very obviously winning the Industrial battle of the 1970s. More>>
1978- 1983
The Alpina BMW C1 retained the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system and had a claimed top speed of 208 km/h (129 mph), with acceleration figures of 7.9 sec for 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) and 28.9 sec for a standing start kilometre. More>>
1978- 1983
The top of the Alpina range in the late 1970's was, as usual, a BMW, based on the then new 5 series. The previous 5 series was the base for cars powered by a 3-litre turbo developing 300 hp and a 330-hp 3.5-litre unit, but the B9 was a normally aspirated 3.5-litre which developed 245 hp. More>>
1979 - 1980
The Motorsport 1 (M1) remains the only mid-engined beamer
to be developed, and that in itself if enough to make
the car truly unique. But more important than any break
away from traditional design was the cars fabulous handling
and performance.More>>
1979 - 1989
It may not be the greatest of BMW classics, neither today
nor in the future, but the precise handling and sense
of involvement lost in the current 8-series make this
car very memorable. More>>
1980 - 1986
Although announced at the 1979 Frankfurt Show, the 745 Turbo was not launched until the middle of 1980. BMW had taken a little time et their high performance flagship into shape, but its emergence certainly gave a boost (in more ways than one) to the power/prestige race between Munich and Stuttgart. More>>
1989 - 1991
The BMW Z1 was first presented as a concept in 1986, generating such enthusiasm that 5,000 advance orders were placed. BMW rushed the car into full production, and both the prototype and final road going version made clever use of plastic body panels and a flat composite undertray for improved aerodynamics. More>>
