1965 BMW 3200 CS Bertone – Exterior and Interior – Classic Expo Salzburg 2021

By 1965, BMW was preparing for a new era—but one of its most elegant grand tourers still carried the company’s earlier V8 heritage. The BMW 3200 CS, styled and built by Bertone, combined Italian design clarity with German engineering. It marked both an end and a beginning in BMW’s design language.

Technical Details:

The 1965 BMW 3200 CS was powered by a front-mounted 3,168 cc (3.2-litre) V8 engine. This light-alloy, overhead-valve unit was derived from the earlier BMW V8 engines introduced in the mid-1950s. In 3200 CS specification, output was approximately 160 horsepower.

Power was delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. The drivetrain followed a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Performance figures included a top speed in the region of 190–200 km/h (118–124 mph), positioning the 3200 CS as a capable grand touring coupé.

The chassis retained a separate frame construction rather than adopting a monocoque body. Independent front suspension was combined with a rear axle supported by torsion bars. Four-wheel disc brakes were introduced during production, representing a technical advancement over earlier BMW V8 saloons that relied on drum brakes. The engineering emphasized sustained high-speed comfort and smooth power delivery.

• Manufacturer: BMW
• Model Name: BMW 3200 CS
• Year of Manufacturing: 1965

Design:

The BMW 3200 CS was styled by the Italian design house Carrozzeria Bertone under the direction of Giorgetto Giugiaro during his tenure there. Its clean, angular lines marked a departure from the earlier “Baroque Angel” styling of the BMW 501 and 502 series.

The coupé featured a slim roofline, wide glass surfaces, and balanced proportions. The front fascia introduced a more modern interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille, integrated into a flat, horizontal nose. Thin pillars and a large rear window enhanced visibility and gave the car a light, airy appearance.

Inside, the cabin combined German craftsmanship with Italian stylistic restraint. Wood veneer trim, leather upholstery, and a driver-oriented dashboard created an atmosphere of understated luxury. The 3200 CS was a four-seat coupé, emphasizing grand touring capability rather than pure sportiness.

Historical Significance:

The BMW 3200 S represented the final evolution of BMW’s postwar V8 saloons. The 3200 CS extended this V8 lineage into a modern coupé format. Produced between 1962 and 1965, only 603 examples were built, making it a rare model in BMW’s history.

The 3200 CS is particularly significant because it introduced the distinctive “Hofmeister kink” at the base of the C-pillar—a design feature that would become a defining element of BMW styling in later decades. At the same time, it marked the end of BMW’s original V8 era. After 1965, the company shifted its focus to the inline-four engines of the Neue Klasse series, which would redefine its identity.

Although the 3200 CS was produced in limited numbers and remained relatively expensive, it bridged the gap between BMW’s traditional luxury models and its modern sports sedans.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The 3200 CS is often overshadowed by more widely known BMW icons, yet collectors recognize it as a transitional masterpiece. Its combination of Italian coachbuilding and German V8 engineering gives it a distinctive character within BMW’s lineage.

The introduction of the Hofmeister kink—subtle but clearly visible—has become one of its most celebrated design contributions. Enthusiasts frequently point to the 3200 CS as the first BMW to carry this now-signature styling cue.

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 1965 BMW 3200 CS Bertone stands at a crossroads in BMW’s history. Equipped with a 3.2-litre V8 engine, four-wheel disc brakes, and styled by Bertone, it combined technical refinement with modern design clarity. As the final BMW powered by the original postwar V8 and the first to introduce key stylistic elements of the brand’s future, the 3200 CS occupies a distinctive and influential position in the evolution of BMW’s identity.