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1937 BMW 328 Roadster

  • Coachwork by Touring
  • Chassis Number: 85135
  • Engine Number: 85209
On June 14th of 1936, at the annual Eifelrennen event held at the Nurburgring, a strong field of race cars was defeated by Ernst Henne driving the prototype BMW 328 roadster. Fritz Fiedler, the company's chief engineer, gave the 328 a solid but lightweight twin-tube chassis, with a live rear axle mounted on semi-elliptical springs and independent front suspension via A-arms and a transverse leaf spring. Steering was by rack-and- pinion. The lightweight aerodynamic body was made of aluminum over ash with steel fenders. The 328 was powered by a six-cylinder engine with an ingenious new cylinder head designed by Rudolf Schleicher. Downdraft inlet ports and triple-Solex carburetors gave the car tremendous performance without the need of supercharging.

The 328 won its class at the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Spa 24 Hours and Britain's Tourist Trophy. Leading drivers included members of the factory team, as well as privateers and team drivers such as those supported by British importer Frazer Nash. Taking performance to another level, a special aerodynamic coupe body won the Mille Miglia outright in 1940.

This BMW 328 Roadster was in the ownership of a Russian military officer station in Germany in the post-War era. It was later acquired by an Austrian where it was dismantled with the intention of conducting a complete restoration. Discovered after many years in storage, the BMW was restored in Austria and prepared for vintage events.

In the mid-2000s, the car was purchased by Henry Petronis. During his ownership, the elegant BMW was displayed at the St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

The 328 is finished in traditional white German racing livery and outfitted with rear-wheel spats, turn indicators and drilled wheels wearing period-appropriate Englebert competition tires. The seats are upholstered in black leather and the fascia features the full complement of Veigel and VDO instruments. There is a more modern Volvo gearbox and the engine is equipped with the high-performance OZ 80 aluminum cylinder heads and three Solex twin-choke carburetors.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale by Gooding & Company at their Scottsdale, Az. auction. The car was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $650,000. The car found new ownership for the sum of $517,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012

2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $650,000 
Sale Price :
USD $517,000

1937 BMW 328 Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the BMW 328

(Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
1937 BMW 328 ROADSTER
Chassis#: 85138
Sold for USD$874,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1937 BMW 328 image  1937 BMW 328 image  
1937 BMW 328
Chassis#: 85059
Sold for USD$830,000
  2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona
 
1937 BMW 328 ROADSTER
Chassis#: 85095
Sold for USD$990,000
  2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1937 BMW 328 image  1937 BMW 328 image  
1937 BMW 328 Roadster
Chassis#: 85135
Sold for USD$517,000
  2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1937 BMW 328 image  1937 BMW 328 image  
1937 BMW 328 Roadster
Chassis#: 85079
Sold for USD$667,000
  2010 Bonhams - Quail Lodge
 
1937 BMW 328
Sold for USD$302,500
  2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island
1937 BMW 328 image  1937 BMW 328 image  

BMW 328s That Failed To Sell At Auction

1937 BMW 328's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1938 BMW 328 Special Competition Roadster853352023 RM Sothebys : Monterey $1,900,000$2,900,000
1937 BMW 328 ROADSTER 2011 Rétromobile   
1937 BMW 328 Roadster 2002 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction$180,000  

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1937 BMW 328

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