1963 BMW 700

S -

Unspecified

Unspecified

194953

Gasoline

The BMW 700 is known in many circles as the car that saved BMW. Although BMW has been recently successful in both car and motorcycle manufacturing and racing, that has not always been the case. After WW2, English sports cars were taking the United States by storm but the name BMW was known only to a few. Unable to afford tooling for a new car, BMW built the Isetta under license for a number of years, kick starting their post war industry. The rear engined air cooled 2 cylinder car was fairly successful but BMW was still on shaky ground and desperately wanted a car that they could successfully race. The evolution of the Isetta to the 600 model also did okay but it was not a competition machine. The BMW 700 was to be the car that not only greatly increased sales, but also put BMW back on the competitive race car map. From 1959 to the mid 60s, BMW 700s were campaigned in Europe by both the factory and privateers. They took class wins at Nurburgring, Monza and others. The cars excelled at hillclimbs and in 1960 Hans Stuck won the German Hillclimb championship in a BMW 700. In the US, BMW 700s were also raced successfully. In 1961 a 700 placed 3rd overall in the 8 hours endurance race at Lime Rock. In 1963, a 700s placed 1st in class and 9th overall at the 12 hour enduro held at Marlboro, Maryland. Competitors included the famed Fiat Abarth, Austin Mini, DKW, Renault, and more. Sports Car Graphic tested the 700s in 1963 and called it "one of the most fun cars they had ever tested". With a top speed of 95 mph it certainly lived up to its working mans Porsche 356 moniker. Enough history, let's look at this particular BMW 700. The vin places it as a very early 1964 model year 700s (built late1963) making it one of 192 S models built that last year of production. I was told that this car has always been a race car and am still researching to try and find its history. It's been in climate controlled storage for many years. A close look at its rollbar, racing harness attach points, and lack of a fuel cell leads me to believe that it was last raced in the 1970s if not earlier. A close look at the drivers door shows the faint makings of an old race number/letters. The body itself is remarkably rust free. The usual places to look for rust-rockers, floorpans, fenders, front pan, etc are rust free and as solid as can be. I was told this car was only a race car and never street driven and from looking at the body I certainly believe it. The only rust anywhere on the body is some pitting on the roof in one area-it looks like someone laid a damp cloth or something similar on the roof at one time. The drivers front fender has a very minor repair and was repainted at one time and the drivers door was replaced and painted to match. Since the now drivers door has the faint race numbers and letters then I imagine this minor damage was caused by a long ago racing shunt. The windshield and side glass is good and the rear glass is missing. Both tail light lenses are included with one good and one broken. A good set of BMW 700 hubcaps are included. The interior is basic-the gauges shown missing in the car photos are included. The front seats are included but need recovering, of course. A rear seat from a sedan will be included with the aucton. The period race roll bar is solidly bolted in place. The engine and transmission are out of the car. The transmission is complete with linkage and the engine is disassembled with some extra parts and perhaps some missing parts. The rest of the car has been untouched including the coil over rear shocks, sway bar, etc. Please look closely at the pictures-it appears the engine and transmission were taken out for service many years ago and the rest of the car was left alone. This car would be a great opportunity for a vintage race car or simply rebuild the mechanicals and drive. Keep a look out for my other two BMW 700s for sale shortly. Both of them are 2 door Luxus models. Please look at all the pictures in this link and email for any questions. This car is registered/tagged/insured in my name here in Georgia. Georgia does not issue titles on this year car but if you live in a title state then it will accept the above paperwork. This paperwork is also good for export to any country. Please copy and paste the following link into your browser.... http://smu.gs/HFi7lm