BMW Cars 1945 to 2013 [Paperback]

A comprehensive pictorial history of BMW cars covering the post-war models right through to 2013 when electric and hybrid models started to make an appearance.

The detailed text covers all model ranges, and includes full specs, colour variations and styling details. Illustrations include period photographs, advertising brochures, and original drawings. Complementing the historical content are technical specifications, ongoing production changes, and build figures, making this the ideal reference work for model identification and authenticity. Appendices cover model designations, motorsport achievements and TV/movie appearances.

This title is a bookshelf-must for anyone interested in BMW motoring heritage.

501 & 502: The Baroque Angel

The BMW 501 was the first new BMW to be produced after the war, and it debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951, when a pre-production prototype was displayed. Production would not get under way until October 1952 due to delays in body production. The first 2045 cars were manufactured by Karosserie Baur to enable production to start while BMW was tooling up elsewhere for higher production numbers. The two-litre pushrod engine was virtually the same as the pre-war 326’s unit, but now with a Solex carburettor with two-position starting device. Now that front leaf springs were no longer used, the engine was moved further forward compared with pre-war cars, improving cabin space. A four-speed ZF all-synchromesh gearbox, mounted under the rear seats, also improved interior room as there was no transmission tunnel, but was ingeniously linked under the floor to an American-style column gearchange. Everything else was new, including a hefty welded frame of brand-new design, with a front section that supported the engine and suspension, and separate rear outer section that included the body mounts and rear suspension which comprised very long longitudinal torsion bars.

ThelÓ;