1964 BMW 3200CS Coupe

BMW's 3200 CS models were the successor to the 503 and 507 of the late 1950s. They combined the chassis and mechanicals of the outgoing 503 with steel bodies style and built by Italy's Bertone, who's chief stylist was Giorgetto Giugiaro. Several of the design elements would later find its way onto other BMW models, such as the thing-section roof and notched C-pillars of the 3200CS gracing the 2000 CS coupe that replaced the 3200 CS for 1964. The 125 mph top speed was achieved with the help of the uprated 3.2-liter V8 engine. BMW was the first model to be introduced with front-disc rakes as standard equipment.

The 3200CS was introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show and was available by February 1962 and continued through 1964. Just 603 examples were built, including one cabriolet as a gift for BMW majority shareholder Herbert Quandt. It is believed that just 50 examples have survived today.

This particular 3200 CS was sold new by BMW AG, Munchen to a German industrialist, and it remained in Germany until the 1970s before being sold to the United States. In 1986, it was listed for sale by Barry Schiff of Maryland. A Colorado-based collector became the cars next owner. The new owner was able to secure factory-original parts and soon embarked upon a restoration in the late 1980s.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014