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BMW entered automobile production in 1929 after they acquired the German firm Dixi, which was building licensed version of the four-cylinder Austin 7. A few years later, in 1932, they began developing its first inline six-cylinder engine, which initially offered 40 horsepower. It was continually improved and gradually enlarged over the years that followed, receiving its most important upgrade in 1936 with the application of a new hemispherical head with lateral inclined intake valve and crossover push-rods for the exhaust. Horsepower rose to 80 BHP, which meant it had doubled it initial output capabilities.
The engine, now displacing two liters, was given a lightweight two-seat roadster built and a tube-frame chassis with an independent front wishbone suspension setup. Introduced as the BMW 328 in April of 1936, it was used by the company in racing endeavors, with chassis number 85001 debuting to a 1st overall finished at the Eifelrennen Nürburgring where it was piloted by Ernst Henne. The first customer car was delivered a year later, in April of 1937.
In 1938, the 328 won around 125 events, including 1-2-3 finishes at the Mille Miglia, International Avusrunnen, GP des Frontières, and two victories at the Nürburgring. At Le Mans in 1939, a three-car team entry finished 5th, 7th, and 9th. At the 1940 Mille Miglia, the team cars finished 1st and 3rd, and privateers finished 5th and 6th.
By September of 1939, BMW had produced 464 examples of the 328.
The early history of this particular BMW 328 is not known and remains a mystery. By the late 1980s, it was in the care of Ralph Day of California. He frequently entered the roadster in major events, including the 1988 Mille Miglia Storica, and the 8th Interstate Batteries Great American Race in 1990, a Gumball Rally style coast-to-coast marathon that ran from Westchester County, New York, to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The current caretaker acquired the car in 1996. Since that time, the 328 has participated in several editions of the California Mille and the Colorado Grand. The car competed in the Monterey Historics in 1999, 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2012; and ran in the Classic Sport Racing Group's Thunderhill in 1999 and 2000; and at Concord Hill in 1999. It also appeared at the 2000 Sears Point Wine Classic, the 2007 Wine Country Classic, and the 2012 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival.
This BMW has a period BMW engine in 328 configuration with later updates for improved power and reliability. It has been given a Volvo synchromesh gearbox, although the original unit remains with the car. It has a driver's-side racing windscreen, and again, it is accompanied with the more traditional two-piece windshield. It has a convertible soft-top, tonneau cover, and a pair of rear-wheel skirts.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016
The engine, now displacing two liters, was given a lightweight two-seat roadster built and a tube-frame chassis with an independent front wishbone suspension setup. Introduced as the BMW 328 in April of 1936, it was used by the company in racing endeavors, with chassis number 85001 debuting to a 1st overall finished at the Eifelrennen Nürburgring where it was piloted by Ernst Henne. The first customer car was delivered a year later, in April of 1937.
In 1938, the 328 won around 125 events, including 1-2-3 finishes at the Mille Miglia, International Avusrunnen, GP des Frontières, and two victories at the Nürburgring. At Le Mans in 1939, a three-car team entry finished 5th, 7th, and 9th. At the 1940 Mille Miglia, the team cars finished 1st and 3rd, and privateers finished 5th and 6th.
By September of 1939, BMW had produced 464 examples of the 328.
The early history of this particular BMW 328 is not known and remains a mystery. By the late 1980s, it was in the care of Ralph Day of California. He frequently entered the roadster in major events, including the 1988 Mille Miglia Storica, and the 8th Interstate Batteries Great American Race in 1990, a Gumball Rally style coast-to-coast marathon that ran from Westchester County, New York, to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
The current caretaker acquired the car in 1996. Since that time, the 328 has participated in several editions of the California Mille and the Colorado Grand. The car competed in the Monterey Historics in 1999, 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2012; and ran in the Classic Sport Racing Group's Thunderhill in 1999 and 2000; and at Concord Hill in 1999. It also appeared at the 2000 Sears Point Wine Classic, the 2007 Wine Country Classic, and the 2012 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival.
This BMW has a period BMW engine in 328 configuration with later updates for improved power and reliability. It has been given a Volvo synchromesh gearbox, although the original unit remains with the car. It has a driver's-side racing windscreen, and again, it is accompanied with the more traditional two-piece windshield. It has a convertible soft-top, tonneau cover, and a pair of rear-wheel skirts.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2016
2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $475,000-USD $550,000
Sale Price :
USD $500,000
2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $600,000
Lot was not sold
2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $700,000-USD $900,000
Sale Price :
USD $550,000
1939 BMW 328 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the BMW 328
(Data based on Model Year 1939 sales)
1939 BMW 327/328 Cabriolet Chassis#: 74543 Sold for USD$163,274 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1939 BMW 328 Roadster Chassis#: 85351 Sold for USD$500,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1939 BMW 328 Roadster Chassis#: 85446 Sold for USD$621,000 2018 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Sports by Leacroft Chassis#: 85427 Sold for USD$825,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1939 BMW 328 Chassis#: 85351 Sold for USD$550,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1939 BMW 327/28 Coupe Chassis#: 74509 Sold for USD$176,000 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1939 BMW 327/28 Sport Cabriolet Chassis#: 74590 Sold for USD$176,000 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions | |
1939 BMW 328 Roadster Chassis#: 85406 Sold for USD$539,000 2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey |
BMW 328s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1939 BMW 328's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet | 74626 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | $250,000 | $300,000 | |
1939 BMW 327/28 Sport Cabriolet | 74356 | 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | $160,000 | $200,000 | |
1939 BMW 328 Roadster | 85351 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $500,000 | $600,000 | |
1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Roadster | 85411 | 2019 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale | $650,000 | $850,000 | |
1939 BMW 328 Roadster Re-creation | 85345RC | 2013 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia |
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