1936 BMW 328 Cabrio – Exterior and Interior – BMW Museum München 2022

From early on, the BMW 328 became a popular basis for conversions. Owners and engineers replaced steel panels with lighter components, fitted full aluminum bodies, or even transplanted BMW 328 engines into bespoke racing chassis. This adaptability contributed to its enduring presence in motorsport history.

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1 Technical Details:

2 Design:

3 Historical Significance:

4 Quirks and Pop Culture:

5 Display and preservation:

6 Conclusion:

Technical Details:

From a technical perspective, the BMW 328 was less about radical concepts and more about careful optimization of proven ideas. Its front-mounted inline six-cylinder engine was based on the two-liter unit of the BMW 326, but Munich engineers significantly reworked it. Displacement remained at 1,971 cc, yet output rose to 80 horsepower at 4,500 rpm. This increase was achieved through three carburetors instead of two, higher compression, and revised combustion chambers with a semi-hemispherical shape. Overhead camshafts were deliberately omitted for cost reasons, keeping the engine layout conventional while still highly effective.

Power was delivered to the rear wheels, and the resulting performance was impressive for the late 1930s. With a top speed of around 150 km/h, the BMW 328 combined relatively modest engine speed with strong real-world pace. The restrained maximum revs also contributed to reliability, an important factor for both road use and endurance racing.

One of the BMW 328’s most notable technical features was its braking system. Hydraulic drum brakes on all four wheels were far from standard at the time. BMW referred to them as a “four-wheel hydraulic foot brake” and emphasized their advantages over cable-operated systems. According to factory claims, the car could stop from 30 km/h in just five meters, corresponding to a deceleration of 6.94 m/s². The brakes were self-adjusting, and the rear wheel cylinders were designed with larger diameters to ensure even wear of the brake shoes. This attention to detail underlined BMW’s ambition to combine speed with control.

Manufacturer: BMW
Model Name: BMW 328
Year of Manufacturing: 1936–1940

Design:

Visually, the BMW 328 conveyed lightness and intent rather than luxury. At 3.90 meters long and 1.55 meters wide, the car appeared compact and agile. Its proportions suggested efficiency, with little excess mass or ornamentation. The sporting character was reinforced by functional details such as leather straps over the engine hood and steel disc wheels secured by central locking nuts.

The vehicle shown in the video is a BMW 328 Cabrio produced in 1936, a configuration that emphasized open-air driving and visual simplicity. Entry into the cabin required some agility: rear-hinged doors opened into a narrow space, further constrained by a large steering wheel. This layout reflected the priorities of the era, where driver focus mattered more than ease of access.

Beyond the standard roadster and cabriolet forms, the BMW 328 became a canvas for coachbuilders and engineers. Cabriolet bodies by Ludwig Weinberger and Gläser added individual interpretations, while Wendler of Reutlingen produced a coupé with a removable hardtop. Wendler also constructed streamlined versions based on designs by Freiherr Koenig-Fachsenfeld. These bodies, largely hand-built using mixed construction with metal panels over wooden frameworks, were considered aerodynamically advanced for their time. Later wind tunnel tests showed a drag coefficient of 0.44, which could be improved by modifying the hood ventilation openings, confirming that the original design intent was sound.

Historical Significance:

The BMW 328 arrived at a moment when Germany’s automotive industry sought international recognition through motorsport and engineering. Its debut at the 1936 Eifel Race on the Nürburgring was decisive. Driven by Ernst Jakob Henne, the BMW 328 dominated its class, winning the category for sports cars up to 2,000 cc without supercharging with an average speed of 101.6 km/h.

This racing success directly shaped the model’s public image. When the production version went on sale in February 1937 for 7,400 Reichsmark, it carried clear motorsport credibility. Built in Eisenach, the BMW 328 helped establish BMW as a manufacturer capable of producing dedicated sports cars rather than modified touring models.

Between 1936 and early 1940, around 462 to 464 examples were built, depending on the source. These limited numbers reflected the car’s specialized role. Nevertheless, the BMW 328 became a benchmark for performance, balance, and engineering efficiency. Its influence extended beyond its production run, shaping BMW’s sporting identity well into the post-war period, even though it would take many years before the company achieved similar success again.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

The BMW 328 quickly evolved beyond a single model into a family of racing and experimental vehicles. Streamlined coupés based on the 328 competed in the Mille Miglia in 1938, achieving first and third place overall. A special version known as the BMW 328 Mille Miglia was built specifically for the race, featuring a lightweight aluminum aerodynamic body and a reported top speed of 220 km/h.

For the 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW commissioned Touring of Milan to build a coupé using its patented Superleggera construction. Thin aluminum panels were welded to a tubular framework, reducing weight but increasing cost. The car finished fifth overall and won its class. In 1940, BMW returned to the Mille Miglia with this Touring coupé, a Kamm-tail variant, and three roadsters considered prototypes for a planned post-war model.

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 BMW 328 stands as a focused expression of pre-war sports car engineering. Rather than relying on extreme technology, it refined existing components into a balanced and effective whole. With its optimized six-cylinder engine, advanced hydraulic brakes, and adaptable design, it proved competitive on road and track alike. The 1936 BMW 328 Cabrio shown in the video highlights the model’s early form, where compact dimensions and open-body design met serious engineering ambition. As a racing tool, a design platform, and a symbol of BMW’s pre-war aspirations, the BMW 328 remains a central chapter in the brand’s history.