1939 BMW 327 Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

Within BMW’s late-1930s range, the BMW 327 Cabrio was conceived as an exercise in balance rather than specialization. It was neither a stripped sports car nor a formal luxury vehicle, but an open automobile designed to combine smooth six-cylinder power, modern chassis engineering, and restrained elegance. In 1939, it represented BMW’s interpretation of refined open motoring at a time when the company was still shaping its identity beyond small sedans and competition cars.

Technical Details:

The BMW 327 Cabrio was powered by a front-mounted inline six-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1,971 cc. In standard specification, the engine produced approximately 55 horsepower, using a twin-carburetor setup tuned for elasticity and smooth running rather than high output. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox with partial synchromesh, improving drivability compared to earlier BMW transmissions.

The chassis architecture was shared with other BMW six-cylinder models of the period. It featured independent front suspension with a transverse leaf spring and a rear axle supported by trailing arms and torsion bars, a technically advanced solution for a mid-to-upper-class car of the late 1930s. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted on all four wheels. The overall mechanical package emphasized ride comfort, stability, and predictable handling, making the 327 Cabrio well suited to sustained road use rather than aggressive driving.

• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model Name: BMW 327 Cabrio
• Year of Manufacturing: 1939

Design:

The design of the BMW 327 Cabrio reflected a clear move away from upright pre-war forms toward smoother, more integrated surfaces. The long hood and rearward-set passenger compartment gave the car balanced proportions, while the flowing front and rear fenders reduced visual separation between body elements. The BMW kidney grille appeared in a slim, vertical form, already recognizable but still understated.

As a cabriolet, the car featured a fully lined fabric roof that folded neatly behind the rear seats, preserving the body’s proportions when open. Chrome trim was applied with restraint, outlining functional elements such as the grille, headlamps, and windshield frame. Inside, the cabin combined comfort with a degree of sportiness. Seating was supportive, instrumentation clear and driver-oriented, and materials were chosen for quality and durability rather than decorative effect. The overall impression was one of quiet sophistication.

Historical Significance:

The BMW 327 was introduced in 1937 as part of a broader effort to expand BMW’s presence in the upper middle-class segment. Positioned between the four-door BMW 326 and the more performance-oriented BMW 328, the 327 emphasized elegance and versatility. The Cabrio variant represented the most refined expression of this concept, appealing to buyers who valued open-air driving without sacrificing comfort.

By 1939, civilian automobile production in Germany was increasingly constrained by political and industrial priorities. As a result, production volumes of the BMW 327 Cabrio remained limited, and the model’s market life was cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War. Its significance lies in how clearly it illustrates BMW’s pre-war ambition to merge technical modernity with restrained design, a philosophy that would re-emerge after the war in a very different context.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The BMW 327 Cabrio never developed a strong presence in popular culture, largely due to its limited production and brief availability. A notable quirk is how closely it resembles other BMW open models of the period while offering a distinctly different character from the more aggressive BMW 328. This visual similarity paired with mechanical restraint has occasionally led to confusion between models among casual observers.

Among collectors and historians, the 327 Cabrio is valued for its subtlety. Surviving examples are rare and typically appear at marque-specific events or concours gatherings, where they are appreciated for balance and craftsmanship rather than spectacle.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Classic Expo Salzburg in 2021. As one of Austria’s premier classic car events, the show has established itself as a central meeting point for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts from across Central Europe. The 2021 edition took place at Messezentrum Salzburg and featured more than 250 exhibitors, along with a strong turnout of over 20,000 visitors. Attendees could explore a broad range of offerings—from historical vehicles and motorcycles to automobilia, spare parts, and literature.

Conclusion:

The 1939 BMW 327 Cabrio stands as a measured and thoughtful pre-war automobile. With its smooth six-cylinder engine, advanced suspension layout, and carefully restrained design, it delivered open-top motoring focused on comfort and control rather than outright performance. Limited production and wartime disruption prevented it from achieving wider recognition, but today the 327 Cabrio is understood as a key expression of BMW’s late-1930s design and engineering philosophy—refined, modern, and deliberately understated.