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CSMA Club Motor Museum and Cottages

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Search the Motor Collection

BMW 327

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What does BMW stand for?
Bavarian Motor Works. Formed in 1916 the company built aircraft engines. The design of their famous badge is based on the rotating blades of an aeroplane, which are painted blue and white, the state colours of Bavaria.

What was their first car?
It was small slow and British! BMW bought the Dixi Motor Company, which had a licence to build the Austin Seven. From 1928 it was badged as the BMW 3/15. Take a look at the other Austin 7s in the collection see what the original BMW car would have looked like.

How did this Type 327 come about?
BMW needed an elegant sports tourer to fill the gap between the competition bred 328 roadster and more sedate 326 models. Engineered by Fritz Fielder the 327 was a combination of existing BMWs. The 326 donated steering, brakes, wheels and a 55bhp 2-litre six cylinder engine, whilst the rear suspension and gearbox came from the 328.

Why does the 327 look so beautiful?
As a sporting model it needed a long bonnet which meant that the cockpit is set well back giving the 327 a balanced and quite beautiful profile.

When was the 327 built?
It went into production as a four seat sports convertible in November 1937 and was joined by a coupe' in October 1938, although production was interrupted by the Second World War.

What happened to the 327 after the war?
It was revived in Britain! The licence to build BMWs in the UK as Frazer Nash models, which happened in the 1930s, was renewed. Production of the 327 Coupe and 2.0 litre engine was taken over by fellow aircraft manufacturer Bristol. Their version was called the Bristol 400 and that 2.0 litre BMW engine in modified form powered all Bristols right up until 1961.