Rare BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet Joins DFW Car & Toy Museum Collection

The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, TX, has recently expanded its collection with the addition of a rare BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet, a vehicle celebrated for its pre-war engineering and design. This acquisition underscores the museum's commitment to preserving automotive history and providing enthusiasts with access to historically significant vehicles.

Introduced in 1938, the BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet represents a pinnacle of pre-war automotive innovation. Its design featured a shortened, boxed, ladder-type chassis from the 326 saloons, a Hurth four-speed manual gearbox with freewheel functionality, and hydraulic brakes, marking it as a technological marvel of its time. The vehicle's engine, a pushrod six-cylinder enlarged to 1,971cc, was capable of producing around 55 bhp, with an option to upgrade to the 328's 80bhp engine, designed by Rudolf Schleicher for enhanced performance.

The BMW 327/328's engine was notable for its efficiency and innovation, incorporating hemispherical combustion chambers and inclined valves, which allowed it to rival the performance of more complex twin-cam designs. This engine's adaptability made it a favorite among British racing car constructors, including the Cooper team, highlighting its significance in motorsport history.

With only 428 examples produced before World War II halted production in 1940, the BMW 327/328 is a rare find. Its historical importance is further cemented by its performance at the Brooklands circuit, where it achieved a top speed of 156 km/h during a 1939 test by Autocar magazine.

The addition of the BMW 327/328 to the DFW Car & Toy Museum's collection not only enriches its offerings but also serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of pre-war German engineering. Visitors to the museum can now experience firsthand the craftsmanship and innovation that defined an era of automotive excellence.