1939 BMW 327 Cabriolet

A decade after coming into existence, The Bayerische Motoren Werke Company began building its first automobile. They began life as an aero engine manufacturer and was purchased in 1928 by the Dixi Werke of Eisenach and continued to manufacture the smallest Dixi product, a license-built version of the Austin Seven. In January of 1929, the company adopted the BMW badge for these cars.

The first true BMW was introduced in 1933 - the six-cylinder 303. It had a twin-tube frame and abandoned the rear swing axles of the prior cars in favor of a conventional live axle. In the front was a transverse-leaf independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. The overhead-valve, four-bearing engine provided the platform for the more potent and sporty models to follow.

In 1938, the 327 sports-tourer was introduce don a shortened, boxed, ladder-type chassis of the 326 saloon, shared by the 320, but without the torsion bars - instead, opting for a semi-elliptic rear spring setup. The gearbox was a Hurth four-speed manual unit with freewheel between 1st and 2nd gears, enabling clutch-less gear changes at low speeds. Hydraulic brakes could be found at all four corners.

By this point, BMW's pushrod six-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 1,972cc and offered 55 horsepower in the 327. It could also be ordered with the 328 sports car's 80 horsepower unit at an additional cost.

This particular example is a 327/328 Cabriolet that was discovered on Long Island in the 1980s. Since that time, it has been given a restoration over the last two decades.

The car was originally delivered to local German Agency 'Michel' on May 4th of 1939. It was sold in dark blue and black with a blue leather interior. Currently it wears a lighter two tone blue color scheme.

The car is powered by a 1,971cc overhead valve 6-cylinder engine fitted with 3 Solex Downdraft carburetors and offering 80 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2017