Introduced one year after the 326, the BMW 327 was first released in 1937 and was produced until 1955. During this time 1,306 cars were built, with their trademark streamlined styling upon a chassis designed by Fritz Fiedler.
Powered by a very capable two-litre, six-cylinder engine, which was fed by twin Solex carburettors and produced 55hp, the 327 was able to reach 125 km/h. This was a very respectable performance for a car of the 1930s.
The example offered for sale here is beautifully finished, having been restored and repainted. It is said to be a matching-numbers car according to correspondence from BMW, which the vendor has seen. It is in good mechanical condition and is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
The History and Paperwork
First registered in 1939
BMW 327 Sport Cabriolet VIN 74003 was delivered on 20.07.1939 to BMW dealer Bruhn in Rostock
Very rare cabriolet body
Said to be a matching-numbers car, with correspondence from BMW
French historic registration
A very desirable ‘30s cabriolet
Restored to a high standard throughout
The Interior
The interior was in beige leather and the soft top was black and now it has been beautifully retrimmed
Elegantly laid out dashboard
Occasional rear seats
Stepping inside this BMW 327 via one of the wide doors is a privileged experience. The retrimmed leather upholstery is superbly fitted and it is crying out to be used. There are no signs of damage or wear that we could see and it looks to be fresh and clean throughout. Similarly, the carpets are well fitted and tidy, with a stout rubber overmat fitted in the driver’s footwell.
The dashboard, although not original, is beautifully finished in paint to match the car’s body. It features delicately proportioned pull switches and an instrument cluster which provides the driver with plenty of information on the state of the vehicle.
There is a handy glovebox for storage, and to the rear, under the spare wheel cover is a little extra space for luggage. The centre of the spare wheel cover discreetly conceals the fuel filler cap.
By the late 1930s, BMW had come a long way from their beginnings building Austin Sevens under licence, as perfectly illustrated by the sleek styling of the 327 seen here. The distinctive, tall BMW two-piece radiator grille is proudly set at the front of the car, and the curvaceous wings sweep gracefully the length of the car.
This 327 benefits from being repainted in silver and black, a combination which eminently suits the car. The paint remains in very good condition throughout with a deep shine and metallic lustre. Chrome trim is tastefully applied and retains a good shine. The lamp lenses are clear and bright. The only reported issue is that the semaphore indicators don’t currently function.
Weather protection is provided by the split windscreen, which opens for ventilation and features a fascinating mechanical linkage for the windscreen wipers. The fabric hood can be raised and lowered and appears to be in very clean condition, with no obvious tears or stains that we could see.
The car sits on distinctive colour-matched steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and spats over the rear wheel arches. They are shod in a matching set of Vredstein tyres. The underside of the car is well presented, with only a little surface corrosion in places, as we would expect to see, but the chassis, body panels and running gear all appear otherwise in good condition.
The Mechanics
1,971cc straight-six engine
Twin Solex carburettors
Independent, coil-sprung suspension
BMWs of the 1930s were technologically very advanced. They managed to parcel up their high performance into a lightweight package which handled supremely well and was a joy to drive.
The 327 features a straight-six engine sitting neatly under its long bonnet. This is fed by a pair of downdraught Solex carburettors sitting proudly atop the engine. The uncluttered engine bay is tidy and clean with plenty of space for easy servicing and maintenance.
Handling is very good by the standards of the day, with coil springs and independent front suspension. This car is also fitted with a front anti-roll bar and rack and pinion steering. rSOAochBh5gL5tYBcAWfE4Vu9wuWpmdQZQVbBVI0.jpg558.7 KB
Summary
In all, this 327 Cabriolet is a superb example of the model. It has clearly been very well restored, with excellent paint and a retrimmed interior. This will be a supremely enjoyable touring car, one which deserves to see the open road and be enjoyed.
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.*
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