Drivetrain
Chassis
Body
1937 BMW 328 Roadster
The BMW 328 is a sports car made by BMW between 1936 and 1940, with the body design credited to Peter Szymanowski, who became BMW chief of design after World War II (although technically the car was designed by Fritz Fiedler). The 328 was introduced at the Eifelrennen race at the Nürburgring in 1936, where Ernst Henne drove it to win the 2.0-litre class. The 328 had more than 100 class wins in 1937, including the RAC Tourist Trophy, the Österreichische Alpenfahrt, and the La Turbie hillclimb. In 1938, the 328 won its class at the RAC Tourist Trophy, the Alpine Rally, and the Mille Miglia. The 328 won the RAC Rally in 1939 and came in fifth overall and first in class in the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans. Frank Pratt won the 1948 Australian Grand Prix driving a 328. In 1940, the Mille Miglia Touring Coupe won the Mille Miglia with an average speed of 166.7 km/h (103.6 mph). In 2004, the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupe became the first car to win both the Mille Miglia (1940) and the modern-day classical version of the race. 464 were produced.
After the Second World War, the manufacturing plant in Eisenach where the 328 had been built found itself in the Soviet occupation zone, and automobile manufacturing in Eisenach would follow a state-directed path until German Reunification in 1989.
One of the Mille Miglia 328s (disguised as a Frazer Nash) and BMW's technical plans for the car were taken from the bombed BMW factory by English representatives from the Bristol Aeroplane Company and Frazer Nash companies. Fiedler, the BMW engineer, was persuaded to come, too. Bristol Cars was set up to build complete cars, called Bristols, and would also supply engines to Frazer Nash for all their post-war cars. The first Bristol car, the 400, was heavily based on the BMW plans. This Bristol engine was also an option in AC cars, before the Cobra.
This exceptional example was the subject of ground up restoration by Tony Ditheridge of Hawker Engineering- the foremost BMW 328 specialist. Built to factory competition specs using many correct NOS parts, with body, fenders and floor composed entirely of Aluminum, this car is identical to the BMW 328 Racers of the era. During the restoration the Chassis was found to be an earlier 319 Chassis which is virtually identical to the 328, as noted on the Datatag. The car features a later Bristol Engine with increased performance. If you are going to race a 328 this is the preferable set up to run.
The car has been used in select vintage events since construction. A veteran of the Monterey Historics and other prestigeous events, it is the perfect entry to a wide variety of events worldwide.
Finished in a stunning color combination with rear skirts and matching rudge type wheels, this car has an undeniable presence. The car is really in immaculate condition and ready for the scrutineering of judged events as well as the demands of the track. The panel fit and gaps are perfect and straight, the interior is stunning with Red Leather seating, all the dash gauges are correct and function properly, the undercarriage is clean and detailed to perfection. This is just a spectacular car in every respect. The car runs and performs flawlessly and is ready for immediate enjoyment.