1938 BMW 328

The acquisition of Dixi Werke of Eisenach in 1928 gave BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) a foothold into the automotive industry. Producers of aircraft engines, BMW was forbidden from the manufacture of aeronautical machinery due to post-war rules. Initially concentrating on motorcycles and heavy trucks, BMW continued the production of Dixi Werke's smallest model, a licensed version of the British Austin Seven. A BMW badge was applied for the first time in January of 1929.

Larger models followed, including the Type AM in 1932, the Type 303 in 1933, and the Type 315 of 1934. The 326 was introduced in 1936 at the Berlin Motor Show powered by a two-liter model. It was the company's first four-door saloon and would remain in production through 1940, with 464 examples built during that time. Its shortened, steel ladder, twin-tube frame had a wheelbase size of 94 inches and was suspended by a swing axle at the front with transverse leaf springs, while the rear used a live axle with leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. 11-inch hydraulic drum brakes provided the stopping power.

In April of 1938, BMW added the option of ordering the 327 Sports Cabriolet with the Type 328 engine. Vehicles in this configuration were badged as the '327/28.'

The 1,971cc pushrod straight-6 cylinder engine had overhead valves, three Solex 30 JF downdraft carburetors, a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and delivered 79 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. It used a new crossflow cylinder head, hemispherical combustion chambers, and horizontal pushrods operating the exhaust valves. The overhead valves were operated by a camshaft which worked on one of the two rocker arm rails while the other rail was controlled by a return system. It was backed by a four-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

The BMW 328 was sporty and its aerodynamic designs reflected the aeronautical experience of BMW. The bodies were built from lightweight aluminum with styling credited to Peter Szymanowski, Fritz Fiedler, Alfred Böning, Ernst Loof, and Alex von Falkenhausen. Fritz Fiedler became chief engineer in 1954 and was responsible for the 503 and 507 models. Between 1955 and 1956, he served as chairman of BMW AG.

The competitive prowess of the BMW 328 was demonstrated by driver Ernst Henne who drove it at the Eifelrennen race at the Nürburgring in 1936, earning a class victory in the 2.0-liter class. Over 100 class victories were achieved in 1937, including the RAC Tourist Trophy, the Österreichische Alpenfahrt, and the La Turbie hillclimb. More class victories followed in 1938, at the RAC Tourist Trophy, the Mille Miglia, and the Alpine Rally. At the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 328 placed fifth overall and first in class.

The state-of-the-art 328 engine had twin cam performance but with less complexity and a lower cost. After World War II, Bristol Cars used the engine, with little modification, to power cars built by Bristol and AC, amongst others, into the late 1960s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022