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BMW 3 Series E21. The beginning of the most successful saga in the history of the brand

With almost half a century of history, the BMW 3 Series is undoubtedly the most successful and iconic in the entire history of the brand. With it, the concept of a compact sports sedan was inaugurated, which has given the brand identity by mixing sportiness with daily use and good quality. Everything that is now present in the BMW brand identity, which owes a lot to the first generation of the 3 Series, the E21.

Oddly enough, BMW was about to be absorbed by Daimler in the late 700s. A critical situation, from which it only managed to escape thanks to the success of the XNUMX model. A two-cylinder as intelligent as it was simple, which put the brand on the path of growth thanks to its good sales rate. Nevertheless, there was still a long way to go for BMW to be a massive company with a range spanning different segments. Thus, in 1962 the German brand presented the New Class Sedan. Destined to enter the sedan segment with force with its commitment to quality and dynamic driving.

Thus, BMW reached a mass market without losing the image of prestige associated with its pre-World War II vehicles. A context where the accounts were already beginning to balance, although an access model with the new middle classes in the spotlight was still necessary. For this reason, in 1966 the BMW Serie 2. Equipped with various engines, including the 1973 turbo. A varied range of versions and finishes in which these two doors covered a very wide market. From customers in need of a distinguished car for the day to day to those with sporty airs.

However, by 1975 the Series 2 began to be small and somewhat obsolete due to the needs of young families with access to consumption. Therefore, BMW reacted with the presentation of the Series 3. The one with which it has managed through seven generations and almost half a century of life to reach its best sales figures with more than 15 million units. A fact that makes the BMW 3 Series responsible for the expansion of the brand as well as the creation of exclusive models. And, after all, such special and minority icons as the M1 are only possible if the accounts are previously cleaned up by massive models.

BMW 3 SERIES E21. THE COMPACT SPORTS SEDAN

Presented in July 1975, the BMW E21 was the representative of the first generation of the Series 3. A car that was not revolutionary since it is a tributary of the 2 Series, but seen with perspective has served to square the brand image that has made BMW triumph. In this sense, the first thing that strikes us is the mechanical quality and finishes. Not giving up an exclusivity guideline even with a car designed for the general public. After this, we see how The Series 3 E21 continues to insist on the mix of practicality and sportiness already seen in the Series 2. But enlarged thanks to larger dimensions that serve as the basis for a more livable interior.

With these characteristics, the threads that will form a very interesting concept are already being woven. The one of a vehicle that does not reach a saloon but that at the same time is in higher standards than a VW Golf. At this point, to complete the formula of the BMW 3 Series E21 we only have one ingredient: sportiness. Something that was delegated to the mix of rear-wheel drive and contained weights.

Boosted by a range of engines stretched to 143CV in the case of the 323i version with electronic injection from 1978. Quite a set sail on the roads well above the most basic variants presented three years earlier. All of them in a fork from 90CV to 125CV, still already including a version not powered by carburetion but by BOSCH multipoint injection.

Regarding the transmission, the different possible options reflected the diverse clientele to which the BMW 3 Series E21 was aimed. On the one hand, if you wanted to use this comfortable D-segment model for long motorway trips, the ECO box would be the best. Something that is justified in the incorporation of an extra fifth gear by way of "overdrive" to circulate above 120 km / h without taking the engine to the limit. If what you were looking for was a sportier driving was the Sport box. Of shorter and more nervous relationships. Complementing the American market in view was the option of the automatic transmission.

THE ARRIVAL OF SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES

One of the reasons why the BMW 3 Series have been and are so successful is the versatility of its range based on common guidelines. In this way, we see more or less powered models depending on the displacement of their engine. Which always part of the M10 block that was even used in F1 during Nelson Piquet's victory in the 1983 World Championship. A piece of information that tells us about the possibilities of the Series 3, which indicated the displacement through the last two numbers of its denomination.

In this way, all those with a figure equal to or greater than 20 behind the everlasting 3 had a displacement of at least two liters. A more powerful character that was also seen in the headlights. Given that the versions below two liters had a headlight on each side instead of the double equipment of the more sporty. Just the kind of variants of the BMW 3 Series E21 where inline six cylinder engines were first introduced. A very special moment in the history of the brand, since in this way it began its extensive journey in the world of sports sedans.

Possibly one of the main hallmarks of BMW, whose beginning saw the light in 1977 with the presentation of the 320/6 and 323i. Two more options that added up to reach one million unit in six years. The definitive settlement of Series 3, which would see in 1982 the launch of its most iconic generation: the E30. A moment of splendor thanks to which it is understood what the brand is today, but which was reached thanks to the success of models such as the Series 3 E21. The model with which BMW dominated the most exclusive area of ​​the mid-segment creating the formula of the compact sports sedan.

Images: 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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