1934 BMW 315-1 – Exterior and Interior – BMW Museum München 2022
In the early 1930s, BMW was still defining what a “sporting” BMW should be. The 1934 BMW 315-1 was not conceived as a luxury car or a mass-market vehicle, but as a lightweight, technically focused roadster intended to demonstrate the company’s growing confidence in performance engineering. Compact, purposeful, and relatively affordable, it marked an important step in BMW’s transition from small touring cars to genuine sports models.
Technical Details:
The BMW 315-1 was powered by a front-mounted inline six-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1,490 cc. This engine was based on BMW’s M78 unit and produced approximately 40 horsepower, a respectable figure for a lightweight sports car of the period. The six-cylinder layout delivered smooth power delivery and good torque characteristics despite modest displacement. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, unsynchronized on the lower gears, following the conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The chassis used rigid axles front and rear, suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs, prioritizing robustness and predictable handling. Braking was handled by mechanically actuated drum brakes on all four wheels. With its relatively low weight and streamlined body, the BMW 315-1 achieved a top speed of around 100 km/h, placing it among the quicker small sports cars available in Germany at the time.
- Manufacturer: BMW
- Model Name: BMW 315-1
- Year of Manufacturing: 1934
Design:
The design of the BMW 315-1 was driven by function rather than ornamentation. As a two-seat roadster, it featured a low-slung body with a long hood and compact passenger compartment, emphasizing its sporting intent. The narrow BMW kidney grille appeared in an early, upright form, flanked by separate headlamps mounted ahead of the front axle. Cycle-style front fenders and a tapered tail reduced visual mass and reinforced the car’s lightweight character.
The open cockpit was sparse but purposeful. Seating was close to the rear axle, contributing to a direct driving experience. Instrumentation was limited to essential gauges, and weather protection was minimal, consistent with the expectations of a 1930s sports roadster. When viewed alongside BMW’s contemporary saloons, the 315-1 appeared noticeably more focused and mechanical, reflecting its role as a driver-oriented machine rather than a touring car.
Historical Significance:
The BMW 315-1 occupies an important position in BMW’s pre-war development. Introduced during a period when BMW was still primarily known for motorcycles and small passenger cars, the 315-1 demonstrated that the company could build a credible sports car using its own six-cylinder engine. It was closely related to the BMW 315 saloon but reinterpreted with reduced weight and a more aggressive layout.
Production numbers were limited, with only a few hundred examples built, reinforcing its niche role. The 315-1 also served as a stepping stone toward more advanced and successful BMW sports cars, most notably the BMW 319/1 and the later BMW 328. In retrospect, the 315-1 can be seen as an experimental but necessary step in establishing BMW’s reputation for balanced, driver-focused vehicles.
Quirks and Pop Culture:
The BMW 315-1 never entered mainstream popular culture, but it has gained considerable recognition among historians and collectors. One notable quirk is its understated performance credentials: while visually modest, its six-cylinder engine gave it a refinement advantage over many four-cylinder rivals in the same displacement class. Period motorsport appearances were limited, but the car’s configuration made it suitable for amateur competition and hill climbs.
Today, surviving BMW 315-1 examples are rare and highly valued. They are most often encountered in museums or high-level classic car events, where they are appreciated as an early expression of BMW’s sports car philosophy rather than as an icon in their own right.
Display and preservation:
This vehicle was exhibited at the BMW Museum. The museum is located in Munich, Germany, next to the company’s headquarters and the BMW Welt, near the Olympiapark. It first opened in 1973, shortly after the Munich Olympic Games, and was extensively renovated and reopened in 2008. The museum presents around 120 exhibits, including automobiles, motorcycles, engines, and design studies from BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Unlike many automobile museums that focus mainly on vehicles, the BMW Museum is organized thematically, linking technology, design, and corporate history. Its distinctive bowl-shaped building is also a notable architectural feature.
Conclusion:
The 1934 BMW 315-1 represents a formative moment in BMW’s automotive history. Technically straightforward yet carefully engineered, it combined a smooth six-cylinder engine with a lightweight roadster body to deliver engaging performance for its time. Its restrained design and limited production underline its role as a developmental model rather than a commercial centerpiece. In hindsight, the BMW 315-1 stands as a clear precursor to the sports cars that would later define BMW’s identity, making it a small but significant chapter in the brand’s pre-war story.
