[img(409px,300px)]
http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/column/photos/bmw328.jpg[/img]Although BMW's current fame and reputation as one of the greatest
automobile manufacturers can be mostly linked to models
produced in the last two decades, the history of the marque
stretches back almost 90 years and contains numerous
achievements that have established it as a benchmark.
The origins of BMW trace back to 1913 when Karl Friedrich
Rapp, a Bavarian who had been a well-known engineer in a
German aircraft company, formed Rapp Motoren Werke in a
suburb of Munich. The company specialized in airplane engines
however Rapp found that they were problematic and suffered
from excessive vibration. Nearby, Gustav Otto, also an
airplane specialist, set up his own shop, Gustav
Flugmaschinefabrik, building small aircraft.
Because of the faulty engines, Rapp Motoren Werke secured
a contract with Austro-Daimler, who was unable to meet its
demands, to build V12 Aero engines under license. The company
expanded too quickly, however, and by 1916 Rapp resigned from
the company because of financial troubles. In his place Franz
Josef Popp and Max Friz, two Austrians, took over the
company. In March that same year, Rapp Motoren Werke merged
with Gustav Flugmaschinefabrik to form Bayersiche
Flugzeungwerke. It was shortly afterwards renamed Bayersiche
Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works), or BMW, forming the
company we know today.
In 1917, BMW's first aircraft engine went into production,
the 6 cylinder Type IIIa. In 1919, using an aircraft powered
by its successor, the Type IV, Franz Zeno Diemer set an
altitude record of 9,760 metres (32,013 ft). After the Treaty
of Versailles was signed in the same year, prohibiting BMW
from building aircraft engines, production switched to air
brakes for railway cars. When BMW started once again to build
aircraft engines in 1922, no fewer than 29 world records in
aviation were set with them. The current BMW logo, introduced
in 1920, was based on the circular design of an aircraft
propeller.
The first BMW motorcycle, the R 32, went into production
in 1923 at the newly constructed Eisenach factory next to the
Munich airport of the day. The R 32 used a flat-twin engine
transversely mounted in a double-tubular frame producing 8.5
horsepower at 3300 rpm. The 2-cylinder 494cc motorcycle could
reach a top speed of 59 mph (95 km/h). BMW manufactured 3090
of them during its 3 year life span.
It was 1928 that made history in terms of the BMW car.
Produced at the Eisenbach factory, the Dixi 3/15 PS marked
the beginning of BMW automobile production. It was built
under license from Austin and was essentially the same model
as the US Bantam and the Japanese Datsun. The first Dixis
used an open roof and were powered by a 743cc 4 cylinder
engine producing 15 horsepower. Top speed was in the
neighbourhood of 50 mph (80 km/h). In 1929 a new improved
version was launched, the DA2, which employed an all-steel
body and 4-wheel brakes, and in 1930 the Dixi scored its
first wins in motor racing. Total production: 18,976 units.
1932 was the year the BMW AM 4 (Ausfuhrung Munchen 4 Gange
- Munich Version 4 Speeds) - a.k.a. BMW's first
"real" car - went into production. The AM 4, also
called the 3/20 PS, was the successor to the Dixi and the
first production car to be built entirely in-house by BMW.
The powerplant was a 782cc 4 cylinder unit which featured
suspended valves and a double chain driving the camshafts,
producing 20 horsepower at 3500 rpm and providing the saloon
with a 50 mph top speed.
The next year mark ed the introduction of the 303 saloon
and the first BMW inline-six cylinder power unit, a
configuration that remains BMW's typical choice even in
contemporary cars. The 303 was also the first BMW to use the
twin-kidney shaped radiator grilles, another cur rent
trademark. Using a welded tubular steel frame, independent
front suspension and rack and pinion steering, the 303 was a
benchmark in technological achievements. Its 1173cc engine
provided 30 horsepower and a top speed of 56 mph (90 km/h).
3 years later, in 1936, the BMW 328 was introduced. It was
the most popular and remains BMW's most famous pre-war sports
car, the successor to the 315/1 (1934-36). The 328 was built
mainly for motor sport, where it proved itself successful by
winning the Mille Miglia in Italy in its class in 1938, but
quickly became a popular road car as well. A curb weight of
only 1830 lb was achieved through the use of an extra-light
tubular spaceframe and light alloy parts for the hood, doors
and tail end. Using a 1971cc inline-6 cylinder engine with
three carburettors that produced a healthy 80 horsepower at
5000 rpm, the 328 could reach a maximum speed of 93 mph (150
km/h). 462 units of this classic were produced in total.
In 1935 BMW entered the record books once again, this time
on two wheels. Riding a streamlined 500cc compressor machine
developing 108 hp and an amazing power-to-weigh ratio (282 lb
curb weight), Ernst Henne set a world speed record for
motorcycles of 173.7 mph (279.5 km/h) in 1937. It stood for
nearly two decades.
[img(400px,300px)]
http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/column/photos/bmw501.jpg[/img]BMW's success was unfortunately short lived. After the Second World
War, the company lay in ruins. Its factories had been
destroyed or dismantled and a three-year ban on any
production activities was imposed by the Allies in response
to the production of aircraft engines and rockets by BMW
during the War. The first post war model, the V8 equipped 501
luxury sedan produced in 1951 was a poor production choice
for a country that was also devastated by the war. Demand was
low and the 501 did not even com e close to meeting BMW's
expectations.
It was a totally different approach that started to bring
BMW back on its feet. In 1955, the Isetta 250 was launched
and participated very successfully in the mini-car era of the
1950's. It was built under license from the Italian
manufacturer Iso and used a motorcycle engine and a single
door at the front. The engine was a single cylinder 245cc
unit producing 12 horsepower at 5800 rpm and a top speed of
53 mph (85 km/h). During its 7 year production run a total of
161,728 Isettas were built.
A couple of years later, with BMW still having no secure
financial foothold, one of the most memorable models in its
history was introduced. Launched in 1956, the BMW 507 quickly
became famous. The light-alloy 2-door bodyshell with a
retractable soft top, designed by Alberecht Graf Foertz, has
remained timeless as evidenced by the newly introduced Z8,
which draws unmistakable clues and its overall shape from it.
A large 3168cc V8 engine using dual downdraught carburettors
powered the 507 and provided 150 horsepower at 5000rpm,
enough for an impressive 124 mph top speed (200 km/h) but not
enough to topple its main rival, the Mercedes 300SL. While
only 252 examples of the instantly recognizable 507 were ever
produced, it remains a symbol of BMW's struggles and ultimate
triumphs during the fifties after the end of the War.
The next step in BMW's evolution and the predecessor to
the cars we know today was launched in 1962. The 1500, which
had been developed during the crisis of the '50s, was another
of BMW's saviors. The excellent suspension and striking
design for its time, employing a low waistline with a
low-slung engine compartment and rear lid characterized the
1500. A 1499cc 4-cylinder engine producing 80 horsepower at
5700 rpm and providing a top speed of 92 mph (148 km/h)
powered it. During its two year production run sales amounted
to only 23,807 units; however between all of the models in
its range (1500,1600,1800,2000) production totaled 334,165
cars. Based on these cars, the first generation 5 series, the
E12, was launched 10 years later in 1972. The 3 series was
introduced 3 years later and the 7 series 2 years after that,
in 1977.
In 1990 BMW re-entered the aircraft engine manufacturing
business after forming BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH jointly with
Rolls Royce. In 1998, after extended talks concerning the
sale of Rolls Royce, BMW officially bought the rights to the
Rolls Royce name and logo from Volkswagen, with the
transition expected to take place in 2003. 1994 brought about
another purchase, as BMW acquired the Rover Group PLC. After
heavy losses, the company was finally sold in 2000, with
Rover being split up from Land Rover which was purchased by
Ford. BMW held the rights to the new Mini and the hot-hatch
goes on sale in early 2002.
Today, the Z3, Z8 and all of the 3, 5, 7 and Motorsport
series models continue the BMW tradition of building
excellent automobiles with a special emphasis on performance,
style and technological advancements. 1992 was another
year-to-be-remembered for BMW when it, for the first time,
outsold Mercedes in Europe. Hopefully in the future the
rivalry between these and other makes will persist and
companies such as BMW will continue to build great cars.
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