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The BMW 327 and the beginnings of the coupe in the German firm

Before World War II, European motor racing was gradually adapting to the mass production initiated by Ford in the United States. A process accompanied by the change in the design of the bodies, which were integrating within the same body the different elements to achieve a more cohesive image and a more aerodynamic performance. In that sense, it was around this time that modern coupe appeared with models like the BMW 327.

The transition from the XNUMXs to the XNUMXs in European motorsports is a most interesting time. And it is here that the foundations of the massive industry begin to settle, copying the North American models of Ford to begin chain production and wholesale. In that sense, this is the moment when cities change their landscape. Filling it with more and more private cars that are gradually replacing carriages and bicycles. A true revolution in transportation, essential to understand the mass urbanization process as well as the changes in industry and commerce.

In addition, when it comes to pure design, shapes are also evolving rapidly. Thus the things, it is going progressively of the fins and the free headlights to a greater harmonization in the general appearance. Little by little integrating all the elements in the same body of body much more fluid and coherent. Thus, the importance of aerodynamics can also be easily appreciated. Especially when seeing the increasingly elaborate rear, but also the process by which the grills blend smoothly into the nose line itself.

An essential step. Since from this moment on, the monolithic grills placed vertically will no longer be seen to give way to vehicles with an elaborate and well-studied aerodynamic penetration. Elements that give us the idea about how the thirties were the decade in which the foundations of the modern automobile were laid. Prioritizing the functional, aerodynamic and built in series. A process in which models such as the 327 BMW 1937 participated. The person responsible for establishing in the Bavarian company one of the types of bodywork that has given it the most success and identity: the coupe.

BMW 327, THE SETTLEMENT OF COUPE'S IDEA

Today the word coupe is pronounced less and less in the realm of newly created cars. And it is that, like a cloud that is enveloping everything, SUVs are even cornering this type of vehicle. Which It has been for decades the mixture of the best of saloons with the sporty touch that makes any model striking and vibrant. A hybridization of concepts that was nevertheless discussed in its beginnings, coming to carry its own stigma in the name. The stigma of being incomplete, curtailed with respect to the breadth of the sedans.

For this reason the French word was chosen to name them "coupe”. Which can be translated as "cut”. Castellanizada for decades, although the protagonist of giving us an idea about how these bodies were born in France, Germany, England and Italy, reducing the much more common four-door cars in the high-end range. In fact, the chassis of the BMW 327 is nothing more than that of the 326 sedan shortened by about six inches. Model from which it takes the gearbox, the hydraulic brake control, the suspension system and even one of its two mechanics. Specifically based on the M78 engine. One of the six cylinders in line that were configuring the identity of the brand based on these powerful and smooth devices.

Giving with its almost two liters 50CV in the 326 and 55CV in the BMW 327 coupe. Not very spectacular performance. But enough to take this second model up to 126 km / h due to its weight of 1.100 kilos. Of course, from 1938 the BMW 327 had the option of mounting a different engine. An engine that did not come from a comfortable car to travel but from a real racing car. Specifically from 328, whose M328 engine was available for the coupe giving its 80CV at 5.000 rpm thanks to its innovative hemispherical combustion chambers.

bmw 327

THE ANTECESSOR OF THE CURRENT BMW 4 SERIES COUPE

With the arrival of this second engine to complete the offer of the BMW 327, the necessary push was received for every sports coupe. In this way, this type of bodywork became the shelter in two different ways when it came to understanding it. First of all as a more casual and stylish version of sedans. But second as the comfortable and practical shell where you can also wrap a real racing car. Two of the concepts to which the coupe have played. Being in the case of BMW one of its hallmarks with such emblematic models as the 503 from 1956, the 3.0 CSL from 1971 or the current 4 Series Mk2 presented in 2020.

A vehicle for which the brand itself has sought justification in the genealogy. Promoting the idea of ​​the BMW 327 as the beginning of the tradition of the coupe in the company. In addition, and with permission from the popular 02 Series or el salvador 700, these bodies usually have a good sales index for the company. In fact, of the BMW 327 1.034 units were sold with the most basic engine and 569 of those that incorporated the 328 engine. About a hundred more than those produced by the racing model itself, demonstrating the good output that dressing a coupe body with racing vehicle may have.

Neither more nor less than the definition of what would later become the great GTs in the fifties and sixties. A time when BMW struggled to survive passing its particular journey through the desert. Never losing sight of how before World War II it had been one of the most attractive and benchmark brands thanks to models like the BMW 327.

Photographs: Press BMW Group

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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