1938 BMW 327

Bayerische Motoren Werke began as an aero engine manufacturer and with the acquisition of Dixi Werke of Eisenach in 1928, gave them a foothold into the automobile manufacturing business. They continued to manufacture the smallest Dixi product, a license-built version of the Austin Seven. In January of 1929, these cars adopted the BMW badge and by 1934, BMW was building the Type 315 equipped with a 1,490 cubic-centimeter engine offering 40 brake horsepower when equipped with triple carburetors. The 326 was introduced at the Berlin Auto Show in 1936 with streamlined coachwork that would define the styling direction of the marque until World War II.

Several variations were birthed using the basic 326 formula, including the less-expensive, four-cylinder Type 320 and the two-seater coupe or convertible Type 327 resting on a shortened chassis.

The BMW 327 was introduced in 1937 and powered by the M-78 pushrod six-cylinder engine with twin Solex carburetors and thanks to higher compression, developed five more horsepower than the 326. It had a 1,971cc displacement and the 55 horsepower it developed was sent to the rear wheels via a Hurth four-speed manual transmission with free-wheel between 1st and 2nd gears, allowing clutch-less gear-changes at low speeds. The suspension was independent at the front with upper and lower A-arms, while the back used a live axle with torsions bars. Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes provided the stopping power. Initially offered as a sport cabriolet, the shortened, boxed, ladder-type chassis - sourced from the 326 saloon and shared by the 320 - of the 327 had a top speed of nearly 80 mph. The elegant lightweight bodywork of the 327 Cabriolet was by Autenrieth of Darmstadt.

The 327/28 was a higher specification model equipped with the M328 engine with 80 horsepower from the triple carb configuration. It shared its basic cylinder block with BMW's other two-liter models (the 327 and 326), and it would continue to be used following the war, eventually powering the BMW 501 series. The 328 engine would also power the John Tojeiro-designed AC Ace, and American entrepreneur Stanley 'Wacky' Arnolt's coachbuilt line of sports and racing cars.

Approximately 569 examples of the 327/28 configuration were built from its introduction in October of 1938 through 1940. The total 327 (not including 327/28) production, lasting from 1937 through 1941, reached 1,396 units. An additional 505 units were built after the war, from 1946 through 1955.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022