Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 76
1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet Chassis no. 74626 Engine no. 74626 Body no. 251174
Sold for US$206,080 inc. premium
Lot 76
1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet
1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet
Chassis no. 74626
Engine no. 74626
Body no. 251174
Chassis no. 74626
Engine no. 74626
Body no. 251174
1,971 cc OHV Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
80bhp at 4,600rpm
Triple Downdraft Solex Carburetors
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptic Springs
Four-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*A sublimely elegant BMW Grand Tourer
*Retains matching numbers engine
*Finished in original colors of Ivory and Blue
*One of 482 produced
*The subject of a recent specialist restoration
THE PRE-WAR BMW
With BMW's acquisition of the Dixi works at Eisenach in 1928, the company gained its first foothold in motor manufacturing, having hitherto built aero engines and motorcycles. Dixi's licensed version of the Austin Seven was gradually developed and improved under BMW's guidance, ultimately gaining swing-axle suspension and overhead valves. In 1933 came the first true BMW – the six-cylinder 303 – which adopted a twin-tube frame and abandoned the rear swing axles in favor of a conventional live axle, while up front was a transverse-leaf independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. These features, along with the four-bearing, overhead-valve engine, provided the basis for BMW's increasingly sporty and capable models to follow. Introduced in November 1937, the 327 sports-tourer used the shortened, boxed, ladder-type chassis of the 326 saloon, but with semi-elliptic rear springs in place of torsion bars. The gearbox was a Hurth four-speed manual unit with freewheel between 1st and 2nd gears, enabling clutch-less gear changes at low speeds, while there were hydraulic brakes all round.
BMW's outstanding pushrod six had grown in displacement to 1,971cc and developed around 55bhp in the standard 327, though buyers could opt for the 328 sports car's 80bhp unit at extra cost. The engine featured a new cylinder head designed by Rudolph Schleicher, which incorporated hemispherical combustion chambers and inclined valves, while retaining the single in-block camshaft and pushrods. The engine was later adopted by Bristol in the UK and powered many great British sports and racing cars well into the 1950s. It transformed the Type 327/28 Sports Cabriolet into a formidable high-performance touring car, as evident by Autocar Magazine achieving the highly creditable maximum speed for a 2-liter car of 96.77mph (156km/h) at Brooklands.
THE CAR OFFERED
Deploying the 328's state-of-the-art engine in a more civilized and comfortable package, the 327/28 is a rare and stylish pre-war sports-tourer, with only 428 completed up to 1940 when production ceased.
Previously a 'barn find', this gorgeous BMW 327/28 was known by the 'Paris Oldtimer Club' since about 1987, and in 2015 was sold by French dealer Christian Decombas to Mr. Konstantin Zhukov. The car was initially restored by Atelier Zhukov in 2016/2017 and sold to a private collector in 2018. It came to North America with the current owner a short time later and was immediately handed to Stephen Babinsky of Automotive Restorations in New Jersey for additional restoration work, detailing, and concours preparation to bring the car up to the owner's exacting standards. Receipts on record from the current ownership total nearly $24,000.
The BMW Classic Certificate confirms the lovely color combination of dark blue and ivory is the original, which pairs beautifully with the dark blue leather cabin. It is finished to a high standard and is eminently usable thanks to the versatile coachwork. In addition to its uprated factory engine, this car also features optional Jaeger instrumentation, a factory radio, clock, trafficators, and a spare starter button. It has been enthusiastically enjoyed by the consignor, earning several awards at major concours events, including Best Debut at the 2023 Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance, a class award at the 2023 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and it completed the Amelia Tour that same year.
The 327/28 is a standard-bearing Grand Tourer of the late pre-war era, and this outstanding example is prime for continued enjoyment on the open road or the concours lawn.
Saleroom notices
Prior to current ownership, this BMW was owned by the respected Belgian marque specialist Stace Investment, during whose ownership it is reported that new brakes and tires were fitted, a comprehensive engine overhaul including new pistons, a balanced crankshaft, new camshaft, and more was completed, in addition to other service.
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Auction Viewings
- 23 January 2024, 09:00 - 18:00 MST
- 24 January 2024, 09:00 - 18:00 MST
- 25 January 2024, 09:00 - 10:00 MST
