Miguel Sánchez
During the thirties BMW one of its most exciting times. Supported by the magnificent development of its motorcycles capable of competing with British creations, the brand also deepened in the manufacture of automobiles thanks to the presentation in 1933 of the M78 engine. Characterized by its six cylinders in line, its design and performance led to a new era for the German brand, finally being able to acquire sporting heights. In fact, only three years later came the appearance of the iconic 328.
Considered one of the most influential racing models of all time, it included notable advances such as the tubular chassis or the hemispherical combustion chambers. In addition, its low weight allowed the incorporation of new shock absorbers with better behavior and grip in curves. With all this, this BMW was one of the dominators in the two-liter category during the years prior to World War II, reaping successes among which the 1940 Mille Miglia stands out.
However, the arrival of the contest broke its potential just at the moment in which more and better successes could have begun to give. Thus, the 328 went down in history as a reference as fleeting as it was striking, combining racing successes with obvious displays of engineering talent. In short, a history as brief as it is striking that, however, was to have an interesting epilogue in England after 1945.
And it is that, thanks to an agreement signed in 1934, the British AFN had become an importer and assembler of BMW vehicles. In this way, beyond the 328 created in the German BMW factories there is an interesting list of finished units in the UK under the Frazer Nash trade title. Something really interesting. Even more so if we take into account how diplomatic relations between Berlin and London had begun to deteriorate as the warmongering desire of Hitler and his family increased.
Be that as it may, the truth is that for just over three years various Frazer Nash – BMW 328 were assembled from parts imported from Germany. What's more, the bodies used to be English-made, thus incorporating, on many occasions, diverse and very original local variations on the design devised by BMW. Something, on the other hand, very much in line with this sports car. Which was the basis for all kinds of tests with aerodynamics or weight as evidence, among others, its Kammback Coupé version.
In addition, in the case of the 328 Britons, one of the most striking is the one responsible for illustrating this article. With its chassis and mechanics arrived from Germany in the autumn of 1939, this remained unbodied until the end of World War II due to the seizure of the same by the customs authorities. And it is that, after all, the shipment was unfortunately made just in the days before the start of the war hostilities.
However, that was not a terminal event for this 328 since, after the war, it was acquired by the official pilot of Frazer Nash "Dickie” Stop. By the way, at the time a former RAF pilot aboard a Spitfire defending the English Channel from Nazi raids. With him at the wheel the 328 that we can see next to these lines participated in the 24 1949 Hours of Spa, achieving twelfth place. His greatest success in racing since, at the beginning of the fifties, his owner exchanged it for a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia. Point at which, to this day, this BMW began its journey as a collector's vehicle. Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting 328 with a British flavour.
Photographs: RM Sotheby's
PS To read a story very similar to this one, we suggest you review our article on the Bristol 400.
