Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 73234
Engine No. 73234
Introduced in the turbulent prewar season of 1937, the BMW 327 was
a highly innovative design for the era. Its beautiful lightweight
streamlined bodywork, incorporating headlights smoothed into the
front fenders, partially shielded rear wheels, and a spare tire
blended into the rear deck, took inspiration from French custom
coachwork of the time and shared many cues with the sporting 328
roadster, one of the most successful sports cars of its generation.
Equipped with an overhead-valve six-cylinder engine, four-speed
manual transmission, hydraulically assisted brakes, independent
front suspension, its basic engineering would be steadily evolved
over the years and used to power a variety of sporting models, as
well as a continuation of its design built postwar in the former
Eisenach factory under the EMW name.
Solid construction was ensured by meticulous hand-assembly of each
body, resulting in the magnificent swift and comfortable automobile
one expected, then as now, from the BMW name.
The sleek 327 cabriolet offered here is a beautiful older
restoration, reportedly performed between 1999 and 2009 by Ray
South with attention to the mechanical systems by marque
specialists Burback Motors. It is finished in a wonderful
period-correct livery of black and ivory, accented by a dark red
leather interior piped in black, including the rear jump seats, and
overseen by a black canvas soft top with matching boot. The
dashboard is complete with all of its original instrumentation and
switchgear. Disc wheels are wrapped in BF Goodrich Long Miler
whitewall tires. A vee'd windshield cranks open to provide superior
ventilation to the interior, even with the top raised.
Original-style chrome bumperettes and Hella driving lights complete
the exterior, as does a period-correct side-view mirror and rear
fender 'spats.'
The engine compartment has been nicely accessorized for reliable
touring, with modern carburetors, but overall the appearance is
quite authentic, encouraged by the original chassis tag on the
firewall and a correct six-volt electrical system. Presentation
throughout is clean and attractive.
Offered from a prominent private collection, this is one of the few
327s in North America, and one of the nicest-finished and most
charming examples available, in colors that truly accentuate the
beautiful flowing lines of its convertible coachwork. Significantly
it is eligible for both numerous rallies, such as the Colorado
Grand, and CCCA Grand Classic shows and CARavans as a recognized
Full Classic. It would be a wonderful companion to a 328, or to a
postwar 507 or Z8, in one's BMW stable, well-representing the
origins of the modern Ultimate Driving Machine.
