1971 BMW 2800

The 1971 BMW lineup in the United States included the 1600, 1800, 2000, 2002, 2500, 2800, and 3.0. Bodystyles included sedans, cabriolets, hatchbacks, and coupes. The 1600, 1800, 2000, and 2002 used four-cylinder engines while the 25000, 2800, and 3.0 versions were powered by a single-overhead-cam six-cylinder unit. The 2800, (also known as the 2.8 and Bavaria) had a 2,788cc displacement and delivered 170 horsepower at 6,000 RPM. Gearboxes included a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic.

To fit the six-cylinder engine under the low hood, BMW engineers canted it at over 30 degrees. The twin carburetor engine had a seven-main bearing crank and trispherical turbulence bowl combustion chambers. In the front was a McPherson strut suspension setup while the rear used a setup similar to the 2002 with trailing arms but tuned for drivability.

The 'Bavaria' was a US-specific model built at the insistence of Max Hoffman - the individual credited with the minimalistic Porsche Speedster. It came equipped with similar accessories and amenities as the 2500 but with the 2800 engine. This meant it had the power of the 2800, but at a lower cost and without the additional weight. The result was brisk acceleration and performance, better fuel economy, a larger trunk, and more interior room. Most came with a four-speed manual gearbox.

The 2800 Sedan sold for approximately $6,800 while the Bavaria was priced at around $5,000. While the minimalistic formula had worked on the Porsche Speedster, where maximum performance at the cheapest price was paramount, many Bavarian buyers decided to break away from its intended purpose and outfitted them with niceties such as power steering, Blaupunkt stereo, and air-conditioning which brought the price over $6,000.

For the following year, the 2500 name was dropped and the M30 engine in the 1971 Bavaria grew to 3.0 liters. It was now called the 3.0 S to reflect its engine displacement size. The 3.0 sedan was later replaced by the even larger 733i in 1977.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020