29 June 2020

These are likely to be the most valuable items in the collection of BMW and they are absolutely breath-taking. The new episode in the series “Inside BMW Group Classic” takes a sneak peek at two examples of the BMW 328. One of them is the spectacular Berlin-Rome roadster clothed in an aluminium body. These rare masterpieces were produced by the fledgling company in 1936, and they manage to achieve the considerable feat of looking simultaneously majestic and athletic. After all, they were highly successful racing cars. An inspection of the engine compartment reveals the complex mechanical system for opening and closing the valves, and one truly surprising detail: There’s a hammer under the bonnet – the King of Tools, and a really big one at that – all strapped in. Never leave the house without it, especially when you go racing! 

Drawing up a list of the twelve outstanding engines from the history of BMW is a tough assignment. In fact, it’s rather like trying to identify the twelve best songs written by the Beatles! Think mission impossible. But the editorial team of BMW.com bravely took up the challenge and decided on a chronological sequence. The historic starting point is the IIIa aero-engine from 1917, which already introduced the overriding principle of the inline six-cylinder engine. The present is manifested in the hybrid drive made up of a three-cylinder combustion engine and an electric motor powering the BMW i8. The years in between these two focal points are punctuated by milestones like the turbo four-cylinder for the Formula 1 racing car in 1983, which is reputed to have generated way beyond 1200 hp, and the legendary reliability of the V8 mounted in the BMW 502 from 1954. All these gems are beautifully illustrated and lavishly presented – a genuine “Best of” album.

The BMW Museum is gradually coming back to life. What the new normal may well look like is demonstrated by the BMW Club Garmisch-Partenkirchen with its preparations for “Club Days”: On Saturday 4 July, around 120 members from various clubs will pay the museum a visit to enjoy the exhibitions currently on show. The collection of vehicles displayed in the car park at the front of the museum is undoubtedly also a highlight, showcasing some 100 automobiles and motorcycles across various eras. The generously proportioned BMW Museum is ideal for hosting this visit and a whole range of others in a relaxed atmosphere, and naturally in a safe and socially distanced environment. The site of BMW Group Classic at Moosacher Straße 66 is also on the move again. Classic fans will once again be coming together on 4 July to talk turkey about classic motordom under the motto “Wheels & Weißwürscht” (by the way, Weißwürste are traditional Bavarian white sausages made of veal).

The summer months are the perfect time to indulge in the joys of classic automobiles and motorcycles not just on a screen or a mobile-phone display but on the road. The BMW Group Classic Newsletter is therefore taking time out on a summer break and will be published at reduced frequency over the coming weeks. We will be using the interlude to gather exciting new stories all about the classics of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad. We trust that we will continue to inspire your interest in the history of the company and the models of the BMW Group, and we wish you relaxing holidays and a great summer.