1939 BMW 328 Roadster
Racing success defined this lightweight German roadster that became one of pre-war motorsport’s most celebrated machines. With just 464 examples built by September 1939, the 328 dominated international competition, achieving remarkable victories, including a class win at the Mille Miglia and claiming over 125 race wins in 1938 alone.
Factory entries at Le Mans in 1939 finished 5th, 7th, and 9th, while the shortened 1940 Mille Miglia saw BMW cars sweep the top positions.
The distinctive roadster featured aerodynamic coachwork wrapped around a tube-frame chassis with independent front wishbone suspension, delivering superior handling compared to contemporary European sports cars.
Its advanced styling prioritized function over ornamentation, setting it apart from rivals produced at Sindelfingen or Molsheim.
BMW’s innovative 2.0-liter inline-six produced 80 horsepower through a hemispherical head design with inclined valves. The sophisticated engine enabled acceleration to 60 mph in about 8.8 seconds and top speeds exceeding 100 mph, with one example reaching 124 mph at the Brooklands circuit.
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