1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet

74440roadGermany

Engine: 2.0L inline-six, single block-mounted camshaft with dual rocker shafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, 80 bhp
Colour: Black

A 1939 BMW 327/328 Sports Cabriolet, chassis 74440, fitted with the desirable 80 bhp twin-rocker 328 engine rather than the standard 327 unit — one of only 428 such cars built before production ended in 1940. Originally delivered in Britain in right-hand drive and registered 'KMF 647', it later spent an extended period in the United States before returning to Europe. A comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration consuming upwards of 2,500 man-hours was completed in Prague, and the car retains matching chassis and engine numbers.

Ownership

2022-10-09Auction sale
Sold €280,000 (≈ $308K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1939 → 1939-03-01Factory delivery
Gumbrecht
full documentation
Original UK registered owner; car delivered new in black with red interior as right-hand drive. Registration plate KMF 647 confirmed by BMW Group Classic and BMW Historic Motor Club UK.
1939-03-01 →Acquisition unknown
John Alcock
full documentation
Based in Biddulph, Staffordshire; had engine work and servicing done at T&T, Brooklands, at approximately 4,000 miles, and Lucas headlights fitted at the same time.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Mr Bloomberg
partial documentation
New York-based owner; the car was converted to left-hand drive prior to export to the USA for this owner. Original right-hand drive steering box was retained with the vehicle.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Mr Eckardt
partial documentation
Based in Suhl, Germany; acquired the car after it returned from the USA, which still carried its American registration document at that stage.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Prague-based current owner
partial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by Prague specialists between 2017 and the catalogue date, reportedly consuming 2,500–3,000 labour hours. Car offered with Belgian registration documents and an extensive restoration photographic record.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

1939Mechanical
T&T at Brooklands
Servicing and engine work performed at approximately 4,000 miles, along with fitting of Lucas headlights.
Carried out during John Alcock's ownership.
2017Restoration
Prague-based specialists
Full nut-and-bolt restoration undertaken in Prague, requiring approximately 2,500–3,000 man-hours. Included complete renewal of the woodwork and re-trimming of the interior to match the original specification, including period-correct seat piping.
Commissioned by the current owner; over 100 photographic records of the restoration process are held on file. BMW Classic confirmed the original interior piping was authentic and guided the re-trim.
—
Modification
Steering converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive ahead of export to the United States; the original RHD steering box was retained and remains with the car.

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