1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8 – Exterior and Interior – Retro Classics Stuttgart 2022
In 1968, BMW briefly sold a large luxury coupé that had not originally been developed in Munich. The BMW Glas 3000 V8 combined Italian styling with a high-revving German V8 engine, symbolizing a transitional moment after BMW’s takeover of Glas. It remains one of the rarest and most unusual V8-powered BMWs ever built.
Technical Details:
The 1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8 was derived from the earlier Glas 2600 V8, developed by Hans Glas GmbH in Dingolfing before BMW acquired the company in 1966. Under BMW ownership, the car received a revised powertrain and subtle updates. The engine was a front-mounted 2,982 cc V8 with an aluminum block and cylinder heads, featuring overhead camshafts driven by toothed belts—an advanced solution for a German production car of the mid-1960s. In BMW specification, output was rated at approximately 160 PS (118 kW) at around 5,600 rpm.
Power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox. The chassis followed a conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle located by trailing arms and a Panhard rod. Disc brakes were fitted at the front, with drum brakes at the rear in early versions. With a top speed in the region of 200 km/h, the BMW Glas 3000 V8 positioned itself firmly within the executive coupé class of the late 1960s. The V8 engine’s relatively compact design and overhead camshaft layout distinguished it technically from many contemporary large-displacement engines.
- Manufacturer: BMW
- Model Name: BMW Glas 3000 V8
- Year of Manufacturing: 1967 to 1968
Design:
The design of the BMW Glas 3000 V8 originated in Italy. The coupé body was styled by Pietro Frua, whose work is recognizable in the long hood, balanced proportions, and restrained use of chrome. The car’s silhouette was elegant and formal rather than aggressive, with a broad front grille, twin headlamps, and a gently sloping rear section.
When BMW assumed control of Glas, the most visible external change was the replacement of the Glas badge with BMW’s twin kidney grille at the front and BMW roundels on the bodywork. These alterations subtly integrated the model into BMW’s lineup without fundamentally changing Frua’s original design. The body was constructed in steel, and the car’s relatively low roofline and wide stance contributed to its grand touring character.
Inside, the BMW Glas 3000 V8 offered a traditionally appointed cabin with wood trim, clear instrumentation, and substantial seating. The layout reflected executive-class expectations of the era, prioritizing comfort and long-distance usability. The dashboard design was symmetrical and functional, consistent with German design conventions of the time.
Historical Significance:
The BMW Glas 3000 V8 emerged from a unique corporate moment. Hans Glas GmbH, originally known for small cars and agricultural machinery, had ventured into the upper segment with the Glas 2600 V8. However, financial difficulties led to BMW’s acquisition of the Dingolfing-based company in 1966. Rather than immediately discontinuing the V8 coupé, BMW chose to refine and rebrand it.
The result was the BMW Glas 3000 V8, produced in limited numbers between 1967 and 1968. It represents a transitional model in BMW’s history—bridging the period between the Neue Klasse sedans and the later, fully BMW-developed luxury coupés such as the E9 series. Production figures remained modest, with fewer than 400 examples of the 3000 V8 built under BMW branding. This low volume reflected both the car’s niche positioning and BMW’s strategic shift toward its own in-house developments.
The acquisition of the Glas factory in Dingolfing proved far more important in the long term than the V8 coupé itself. The site later became one of BMW’s largest and most significant production facilities, underscoring the broader industrial consequences of the takeover.
Quirks and Pop Culture:
Among enthusiasts, the BMW Glas 3000 V8 is often described as a “Frua BMW,” emphasizing its Italian design origins. The combination of BMW branding with a body and engine developed by Glas gives the car a dual identity. It is one of the very few BMW-badged models not originally engineered in Munich.
The overhead-cam V8 with belt-driven camshafts is another frequently cited curiosity. At a time when many European and American V8s relied on pushrod valve actuation, the Glas unit stood out for its more sophisticated layout. Despite these technical strengths, the model never achieved widespread recognition, overshadowed by later BMW performance icons.
Today, the BMW Glas 3000 V8 occupies a niche position in BMW history, appreciated primarily by collectors who value its rarity and its role in the brand’s corporate evolution.
Display and preservation:
The vehicle was exhibited at the Retro Classics Stuttgart in 2022. This car show is one of the major events on the classic car calendar in Germany. In 2022, it took place across five exhibition halls. Visitors can enjoy special showcases, hunt for rare parts and books, and buy cars—both private sellers and dealers offer a wide range of classic and youngtimer vehicles. In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in low-mileage youngtimers and classic cars.
Conclusion:
The 1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8 represents a brief but significant chapter in BMW’s development. Technically defined by its 2.9-liter overhead-cam V8 and traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, it offered strong performance for its class. Its design, created by Pietro Frua, combined Italian elegance with newly applied BMW identity elements. Historically, it reflects the immediate aftermath of BMW’s takeover of Glas and the strategic consolidation of production in Dingolfing. Produced in limited numbers, the BMW Glas 3000 V8 remains a rare and distinctive example of how corporate transition can shape automotive history.
