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1936 BMW
328 Roadster |
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Most automotive historians think
of the BMW 328 as the first modern sports car. Although only 464 examples of
the 328 roadster were built over a four-year production life, its influence
was immense. The engine design, particularly sound with respect to breathing
was produced well into the 1950s. BMW 328s were raced and rallied widely, and
did extremely well. They won the Alpine Trial, won the 2-litre class at the
Mille Miglia, at |
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Key design elements were the
headlights faired into the space between bumper and bonnet, and the leading
edge of the front bumpers descending towards the road so that they reduced
turbulence (and thus drag) inside the wheelhouses. The body shape is
straightforward, but nice use is made of curved separation lines between
bonnet and body, and door and body, to add decoration to the simple form. The
front wing evolves into a running board that keeps gravel thrown up by the
front tyres away from the cockpit and its sharply cut-down doors. Much prized
by collectors, a large number of 328s exist today, and parts are still
available from BMW. |
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These extracts are taken from
Auto Legends: Classics of Style and Design by Michel Zumbrunn,
text by Robert Cumberford which was published in
October by Merrell |
