Highlights
- 1939 BMW 326 Cabriolet
- ASI (Italian Historic Automotoclub) registered since 2011
- High-quality older restoration
- Lovingly preserved in a private collection
- Professionally reupholstered with correct materials and colours
- Leather seats
- A comprehensively restored and extremely attractive motorcar
The Appeal
Lovingly preserved by knowledgeable collectors since a comprehensive professional restoration in the eighties, including a full high-quality repaint and new period-correct upholstery, this spectacular BMW 326 Cabriolet exhibits a myriad of delightful styling details, capturing the gaze with the elegantly chiseled shapes of its bodywork and its extremely refined cabin in excellent condition.
Produced between 1936 and 1941, the BMW 326 featured revolutionary innovations, such as the torsion beam rear suspension and the first hydraulic braking system used on a BMW car.
With a powerful six-cylinder engine and a four-speed gearbox providing a fast-paced and effortless driving experience and its streamlined aerodynamic elegance, the 326 quickly became one of the most popular BMW models of the pre-war period.
Having been displayed in a prominent private collection in the last eight years, this 326 will need some maintenance before it can be driven on the road again.
Thanks to its precious and suggestive lines, to the extremely pleasant and richly appointed cabin, to its excellent performances and to the great historical importance of the model, this BMW represents a purchase deserving of the utmost consideration from collectors and enthusiasts looking for an high-class vehicle.
The History and Paperwork
- Built in 1939
- Frame number: 114345
- Engine number: 90015
- Registered in Italy
- ASI (Italian Historic Automotoclub) registered since 2011
- Comprehensive documentation
- MOT will have to be renewed
This BMW 326 comes with an exhaustive documentation, including an up-to-date Italian vehicle registration document “Libretto di circolazione”, ASI registration documents, and copies of communications with the BMW Group Archive, which attest that the original motor was at some point replaced with a similar one from a 1937 BMW 320.
Notes relating to research carried out on the BMW 327 model and its characteristics, correct factory colours and fittings in anticipation of the restoration have also been preserved as well as informations on the history of this particular car.
For the last eight years, the car has been off the road and displayed in the seller's collection and the MOT has not been renewed.
The Interior
- Fully professionally restored interior
- Leather seats and door cards in very good condition
- Stunning two-tone dashboard
- Fully functional instrument cluster
- High-quality carpets and rubber mats
Being a top-of-the-range model aimed at demanding customers with sophisticated tastes, the BMW 326 convertible exhibited a particularly rich and refined interior, with often rather showy colour combinations and a high level of finish.
On this particular vehicle, the fascinating and richly appointed interior in very good condition attests to the excellent standard of the restoration performed in the eighties.
The sculpted front bucket seats and the imposing rear bench have been reupholstered in the correct materials and hues. Fresh red carpets, protected by red-piped rubber mats, and spotless leather door cards with pristine window cranks and door handles help to create a striking and refined ambience.
The stunning two-tone dashboard, original in every detail and perfectly preserved, shows clear and readable dials in perfect working order, original switches, buttons and levers, some of which slightly faded, and a few additional knobs added for ancillary services along the life of the car.
Small blemishes on the dashboard paint and slight signs of wear on the headliner of the luxurious and well insulated soft top are the only shortcomings of an otherwise almost immaculate cabin.
The Exterior
- In very good condition after a high-quality older restoration
- High-quality repaint
- Very good renewed fabric top
- Aerodynamic spare wheel cover
- Shiny undamaged bumpers
- All chrome parts in very good condition
- Perfect headlights, taillights and side markers
- Unfaded windows
- A few dings and scratches on fenders
- Sound underside, with signs of greasing and slight traces of surface rust
The modern, streamlined body of the 327, with the graceful fenders and the exquisite aerodynamic spare wheel cover at the back, represented a leap forward in terms of design at launch.
The design appeared extremely modern for the time and was reproduced almost unchanged on the first BMWs built after the war and heavily inspired Frazer Nash and Bristol cars up until the fifties.
This particular 326 Cabriolet wears a likely non-original but very appealing and elegant livery with ivory bodywork and burgundy fenders in good condition, except for some scratches on the fenders, further testifying to the great quality of the older restoration received and the great care with which it was preserved.
All chrome-plated details are in excellent condition, including the outer hinges for the convertible top, which is in remarkable shape, with no sun damage or tears.
The front grille, headlights and taillights are in very good order, as are the exquisite body-coloured wheels with chrome-plated hubcaps.
The underside appears quite healthy, with minor residues of grease on the rear axle and a few spots of light surface rust.
The Mechanics
- 1971cc OHV BMW M78 Six-cylinder engine
- Four-speed gearbox
- Higher performance SU carburettors - Original Solex carburettors are supplied
- Original 6-volt electrical system
- Some deferred maintenance
Considered a quite fast car when new, capable of reaching 115km/h thanks to its supple six-cylinder engine, that with some modifications powered Bristol cars until the sixties, the 326 can be a very rewarding and engaging drive even today.
This example has had its original engine replaced with a similar one from a 1937 BMW 320, as certified by the BMW Group Archive.
The engine compartment is very clean and tidy, showing only a few small flaws that are to be expected with a car of this era.
The original Solex carburettors and manifold have been replaced with better performing SU ones, but the original parts are available and will be supplied with the car, together with other useful spares.
The original 6-volt electrical system has been preserved.
The seller informs us that before being exhibited in a private collection and not driven for about eight years, the car was in perfect running condition, presenting a perfectly functional engine, excellent gearbox and brakes and all electrical services in fine working order.
Before putting the car back on the road, it would be advisable to take care of deferred maintenance, changing filters and fluids and checking the condition of carburettors, brakes and tyres.
Summary
With its characteristically pre-war but extraordinarily modern and graceful lines, a sumptuous interior and spritely performances, this BMW 326, still in very good condition after of an older restoration of the highest quality, represents a great opportunity for the connoisseur who desires to acquire a real gem, bound to be at the center of attention at rallies and contests.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
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