1936 BMW 329 - Lot 93

1936 BMW 329 - French registration - In France since WW2 - Beautiful cream and blue livery The manufacturer's plate was lost during restoration. From 1936, the BMW 329 was offered only as a convertible, as a more economical alternative to the BMW 326 touring sedan. A total of 1,179 examples were produced, including 1,011 BMW-branded four-seat cabriolets, 42 two-seat cabriolets designated as "Drauz" models assembled at the Drauz bodyworks in Heilbronn, and a further 126 custom-built units. The 329 combines the mechanics and chassis of the former 319 with the front bodywork of the 326, designed by Peter Schimanowski, who also designed the famous 501 cabriolet. This atypical configuration was only put into production to compensate for a shortage of 326 chassis. Once the required volumes had been reached, the 329 was withdrawn from production and quickly replaced by a new "hybrid" assembly. The model offered for sale was a 2+2 convertible powered by a 1911 cm3 six-cylinder engine fed by 2 Solex carburetors developing 45 horsepower. This 329 was restored by its last owner, Daniel S, in 2003. The chassis and body were sandblasted, and the gearbox bearings were replaced. According to the same owner, the engine was rebuilt at a cost of over 6,000 euros. A member of the BMW Club de France, Mr. S. has lent his BMW 329 to numerous motor shows. This BMW was bought new in 1936, at a time when it symbolized elegance and modernity. A few years later, the course of history decided otherwise: like many civilian vehicles, it was requisitioned by the German army during the Second World War. It became the car of an officer stationed in Lisieux. Decades later, in the 2000s, its owner decided to retrace its past. When he shared a photograph of the car taken when it was sold to the Domaines after the war, he received an unexpected testimonial: a former resistance fighter from Lisieux immediately recognized the car, and recalled seeing it many times in the courtyard of the Kommandantur. So, this elegant automobile carried within it a silent part of history. 1936 BMW 329 - French registration document - In France since the Second World War - Beautiful cream and blue livery - (Identification plate) From 1936 onwards, the BMW 329 was only available as a convertible, as a more economical alternative to the BMW 326 saloon. A total of 1,179 units were produced, including 1,011 four-seater convertibles bearing the BMW brand, 42 two-seater convertibles designated as 'Drauz' models assembled in the Drauz body shop in Heilbronn, and 126 additional custom-built units. The 329 combines the mechanics and chassis of the older 319 with the front end of the 326 body, designed by Peter Schimanowski, who was also responsible for the design of the famous 501 convertible. This unusual configuration was only put into production to compensate for a shortage of 326 chassis. Once the required volumes had been reached, the 329 was withdrawn from production and quickly replaced by a new 'hybrid' assembly. The model offered for sale is a 2+2 convertible powered by a 1911 cc six-cylinder engine fed by two Solex carburettors developing 45 horsepower. This 329 was restored in 2003 by its last owner, Daniel S. He sandblasted the chassis and bodywork and replaced the gearbox bearings. According to the same owner, the engine was rebuilt at a cost of over €6,000. A member of the BMW Club de France, Mr S. lent his BMW 329 to numerous motor shows. This BMW was purchased new in 1936, at a time when it symbolised elegance and modernity. A few years later, the course of history decided otherwise: like many civilian vehicles, it was requisitioned by the German army during the Second World War. It then became the car of an officer stationed in Lisieux. Decades later, in the 2000s, its owner decided to trace its past. By sharing a photograph of the car taken when it was sold to the Domaines after the war, he obtained an unexpected testimony: a former member of the Lisieux resistance immediately recognised the car and remembered seeing it many times in the courtyard of the Kommandantur. Thus, this elegant automobile carried with it a silent part of history.