BMW 319/1

The BMW 319/1 was a small roadster that BMW built at Eisenach from the end of 1934 to July 1936 as a more powerful development of the 315/1, and it is described as the first real BMW sports car, used in racing as well as on the road. Its 1,911 cc inline six had three Solex carburettors and a higher compression ratio than the later 319 saloon and gave 55 PS (40 kW) at 4,000 rpm, enough for 130 km/h in a car of only 780 kg. The standard body was a roadster with rear-hinged doors, no side windows and covers over the rear wheels to cut drag, and a two-seat cabriolet by Drauz was also offered. It cost RM 5,800, RM 1,650 more than the 319 saloon. Only 178 were built in a little over a year, so few survive outside museums. Ernst von Delius won the 1935 Eifelrennen with one, importer Frazer Nash prepared cars for racing in England, and the 328 was developed from it.