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BMW-Glas 3000 V8. A transitional GT designed by Pietro Frua

Introduced in 1967, the BMW-Glas 3000 V8 is the swan song of a manufacturer that began its journey in 1883 with the manufacture of agricultural machinery. Absorbed by the Bavarian house in 1966, for three years two of its models coexisted with the BMW range. Of these, only the V8 continued to have an engine designed by Glas engineers. A fact that builds the paradox of this model: being one of the BMWs most appreciated by experts without even being a BMW.

After the Second World War, the fate of BMW was so uncertain that it even made kitchen equipment. An erratic industrial road where motorcycles were the star product. Although never profitable enough to ensure the viability of the company. For this reason, at the beginning of the fifties, BMW resumed the development of automobiles. A natural strategy, but what started with a diffuse vision in which high-end models such as the 501 coexisted with the Isetta microcar manufactured under Italian license.

Thus, the marketing of a model aimed at the new middle classes was urgently required for survival. Something that came with the 1959 appearance of the BMW 700. Equipped with a twin-cylinder engine more typical of a motorcycle than a car, its low weight and excellent design by Michelotti gave the model the basis for massive success. So much so that, by the early sixties, BMW had already scared away the specter of closure, presenting the new BMW 1962s in 1500. The definitive consolidation of the brand.

Launched at the appropriate time, this series of four-door compacts was such a success that the Munich plant could not cope. So BMW weighed the possibility of taking over the small but smart Glas. A company born in 1883 and that, although for decades focused its activities on agricultural machinery, in the mid-300.000s it succeeded by selling almost XNUMX Goggomobil. Achievement for which he dared in 1963 with a much more serious model: the Glas GT.

A charming Pietro Frua-designed coupe that BMW set its sights on, buying the company in 1966. The operation that produced interesting hybrids such as the BMW Glas 3000 V8.

BMW-GLAS 3000 V8. MORE GLAS THAN BMW FOR AN ITALIAN-STYLE COUPÉ

In the history of the union between Glas and BMW there is an Italian component that orbits in the background. A component related to design, which was central to the consolidation of Glas and the salvation of BMW in the early sixties. And, while the car that saved BMW in 1959 was a success thanks to the design of Giovanni Michelotti ... The designs that raised Glas to the status of a high-performance automaker came from Pietro Frua's pencils. Interestingly, Michelotti's teacher and mentor. For all this, it can be said that both brands were weaving their destinies almost without knowing it.

Destinations melted with the absorption of Glas by BMW, which respected most of its range of cars until in 1969 it was finally eliminated. Three years of transition in which new Glas models even appeared. Of course, always with the BMW emblem although fully respecting the lines marked long ago by Pietro Frua. Which is why the BMW-Glas GT and 2600/3000 V8s are one of the few models in the history of the Bavarian house without the typical double radiator grille.

Therefore, the reality is that the BMW-Glas 3000 V8 belongs more to Glas's endeavors than to BMW's. Being a tributary car to the pre-1966 era, with Glas as an independent company looking sideways at the growth of BMW with coupes as superb as the 3200 CS Bertone -1962- or the 200 CS -1965-. In addition, in terms of design, the 3000 V8 comes from 1965, when it was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show with lines so similar to those of the Maserati Quattroporte -also a Frua design- that they earned it the nickname "glass era".

TWO ENGINES TO FORM A V8 THAT WENT UP TO 3 LITERS

Along with the acquisition of a staff full of excellent engineers, the most notable consequence of the takeover of Glas by BMW was the rationalization of its range. Regarding the Glas GT - which had gone through 1300 and 1700cc engines - it was decided to equip it with the M10 engine in its 1600cc variant. The same inline four cylinder that was fitted to most new BMWs since 1962. A quality device in use until 1988, which was far from the solution Glas adopted for the 2600 V8. And it is that, although it seems a contradiction, the use of a shocking V8 a priori came more from the bad financial situation of the brand than from pure engineering decisions.

Around 1964, when Glas decided to build a top of the line above the GT, he thought about designing a new V6 engine for the model. However, designing it from scratch entailed unaffordable costs. That is why they chose to put together two of their existing 4cc V1290s. Which is why the BMW-Glas 2600 has camshafts and belts for each group of four cylinders. A solution with a precarious base but remarkable result, since it delivered 150CV with a peak of 198 km / h. However, Glas engineers worked since 1965 on two new V8 engines. One of 3 liters with 160CV and another of 3 with 2.

Unfortunately, Glas' bad financial situation when bought by BMW forces managers to be sensible. Thus choosing the more measured 3-liter engine as a replacement for the union of engines mounted on the 2600 V8. It is because of that, In 1967, the BMW-Glas 3000 V8 appeared. A model with only 389 units manufactured during its only year in production, in which a refined independent suspension system with a De Dion axle in the rear stands out. In addition, it had brake discs and a 4-speed manual gearbox.

Without a doubt, the BMW-Glas 3000 V8 was a coupe with enough technology and design to have lasted longer in the market. But nevertheless, the new and vigorous range that BMW raised for the seventies with models like the BMW E9 left no possible gap after the dissolution of Glas. That is why, 54 years after its launch, this model stands as one of the strangest BMWs. Perhaps because, paradoxically, it is even a vehicle designed by BMW.

Photographs: Mecum Auctions / BMW

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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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