75 Years of BMW Roadsters
05-31-2009, 08:00 PM
#1
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are the letters and words you click on for the full article
The year 2009 sees BMW celebrating 75 years of building sports cars known as Roadsters. It was in May 1934 that BMW ushered in the Sports Roadster prototype at the Berlin Motor Show with its long sleek bonnet, low windscreen, an emergency roof and two seats. The car, which was related to the 315 sedan, became the 315/1 and featured big wheel arches and fully covered rear wheels. Under the bonnet was a 1.5-litre straight-six engine worth 40hp (29kW). More powerful versions were added in later years and the car competed very successfully in many races.
Following the 315 BMW produced the 328 Roadster which had an 80hp (59kW) engine. Capable of running at 155km/h the car is still one of the rarest BMWs as only 464 units were ever made.
Next came the 507 which debuted in New York in 1955. That is probably the car that clearly defined BMW's roadster future with its short muscular rear end, flat kidney grille and sweeping curves. Power came from the world's first series-production aluminium V8 engine which displaced 3.2-litres and made 150hp (110kW). The 507 could reach a top end of 220km/h. Exactly 251 examples were sold.
In 1988 the Z1 started BMW's current Z era. The car had a 170hp (125kW) 2.5-litre straight six power unit. It weighed 1,250kg (2,756 lbs), did the 0 - 100km/h dash in under 8 seconds and registered a top speed of 225km/h. The Z1 had a steel monocoque body but its outer skin was made entirely of plastic panels. A total of 8000 new Z1s were produced up to 1991.
Replacing the Z1 was the Z3 which featured a range of engines, including the famed 325hp (239kW) 3.2 straight six from the M3. Yet another rare Z car was the 4.4 metre Z8 which made an appearance in James Bond's 1999 film The World is not Enough. Using the 4.9-litre V8 shared with the M5 of its time, the Z8 got a neat 400hp (294kW).
And then began the Z4 age which has seen two versions roll off the production line, from 2003 right until now with the current hard-top model.
The year 2009 sees BMW celebrating 75 years of building sports cars known as Roadsters. It was in May 1934 that BMW ushered in the Sports Roadster prototype at the Berlin Motor Show with its long sleek bonnet, low windscreen, an emergency roof and two seats. The car, which was related to the 315 sedan, became the 315/1 and featured big wheel arches and fully covered rear wheels. Under the bonnet was a 1.5-litre straight-six engine worth 40hp (29kW). More powerful versions were added in later years and the car competed very successfully in many races.
Following the 315 BMW produced the 328 Roadster which had an 80hp (59kW) engine. Capable of running at 155km/h the car is still one of the rarest BMWs as only 464 units were ever made.
Next came the 507 which debuted in New York in 1955. That is probably the car that clearly defined BMW's roadster future with its short muscular rear end, flat kidney grille and sweeping curves. Power came from the world's first series-production aluminium V8 engine which displaced 3.2-litres and made 150hp (110kW). The 507 could reach a top end of 220km/h. Exactly 251 examples were sold.
In 1988 the Z1 started BMW's current Z era. The car had a 170hp (125kW) 2.5-litre straight six power unit. It weighed 1,250kg (2,756 lbs), did the 0 - 100km/h dash in under 8 seconds and registered a top speed of 225km/h. The Z1 had a steel monocoque body but its outer skin was made entirely of plastic panels. A total of 8000 new Z1s were produced up to 1991.
Replacing the Z1 was the Z3 which featured a range of engines, including the famed 325hp (239kW) 3.2 straight six from the M3. Yet another rare Z car was the 4.4 metre Z8 which made an appearance in James Bond's 1999 film The World is not Enough. Using the 4.9-litre V8 shared with the M5 of its time, the Z8 got a neat 400hp (294kW).
And then began the Z4 age which has seen two versions roll off the production line, from 2003 right until now with the current hard-top model.
05-31-2009, 09:39 PM
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: St. Louis Burbs, USA
Posts: 8,998
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Modern: Z8 FTW!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TroyE60
Private Member Classifieds
9
05-30-2019 05:01 PM
DerekShiekhi
Other BMW Models
0
03-11-2015 05:52 AM