BMW has had a wild history. When you’ve been around for a century, you’ve seen some things. Especially when two of those things were world wars. But despite having a fascinating and rocky history, BMW’s managed to build wonderful cars through it all. One such car was literally built through World War II, the BMW 327 Cabriolet. Or, should I say “EMW” 327? Either way, this 1955 example just sold on Bring a Trailer for nearly $91,000.
The BMW 327 Cabriolet is interesting, because it was first designed and produced in 1937. It was an offshoot of the Mille Miglia-winning 328 and used a modified version of that car’s chassis and engine, just with a shortened wheelbase, convertible top, and less power. It was on sale until 1941, when BMW halted production due to the war. After the war was over, the Soviet Union gained control over BMW’s factory in Eisenach, Germany, which was under Soviet Bloc control. Production at the Eisenach plant restarted in 1945, outside of BMW’s control. There was a dispute about Eastern Bloc 327s being called BMWs, since they weren’t built by BMW. So they were renamed EMW (Eisenacher Motorenwerk) and their Roundel was switched from blue and white to red and white.
Source: Bring a Trailer
Production ended in 1955, but there aren’t any official figures for exactly how many were built post-war. It’s said that around 505 were made, but what’s also unclear is how many were badged BMW and how many were EMW. This is one of the EMW cars, but it seems the owner is selling it with a blue and white BMW Roundel to go along with it, as it can be seen wearing the original colors in some of the pictures.
Under the hood is a version of the 1930s BMW 328 1,971 cc straight-six engine. It has the same block and dual Solex carburetors as the 328, but the same cylinder head as the slower 320. It made 55 horsepower when new, and pairs with a four-speed manual and rear-wheel-drive. It has four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, hydraulic shocks, and transverse leaf spring suspension both front and rear.
Source: Bring a Trailer
This 327 Cabriolet debuted 30 years before BMW would ever even think of calling itself the Ultimate Driving Machine. Yet it still seems to have BMW’s century-long ethos (at least on paper, it does): an straight-six engine based off of a successful racing car’s engine, a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and simple, sophisticated good looks. The 327 Cabriolet is a stunning car, and one that reminds us all of BMW’s long, weird history.
