1938 BMW 328 Roadster
- Engine
- 1,971cc OHV inline-six, three downdraft carburetors, 80 bhp at 5,000 rpm
- Colour
- White
The 1938 BMW 328 Roadster, chassis 85196, is a pre-war German sports car finished in white with a red leather interior. Delivered new in June 1938 to a buyer in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, it later received a comprehensive ground-up restoration in Germany during the early 1990s before being exported to the United States in 2001. There it enjoyed roughly two decades of active historic racing in the northeastern US, competing at venues including Lime Rock and Pocono.
Ownership
- 2020-01-16Auction saleEstimate US$475,000 – US$525,000
- 1938-06-13 →Factory deliveryMr. Sarilek or Rarilekpartial documentation
First registered owner, based in Zagreb, Yugoslavia; name spelling uncertain per factory record copy on file.
- 2001-05-01 →Private saleBuddy Cooperbergfull documentation
Maryland-based owner who purchased the car from Europe through BMW specialist Max Conover; had the car prepped for historic competition by GMT Racing in Danbury and campaigned it extensively over roughly 18 years.
- Date unknownJurgen Pollackpartial documentation
German owner who commissioned a full body-off restoration circa early 1990s, carried out by Karroseriebau M. von Hoff of Weinsheim; original engine had been lost by this time and a correct replacement block was fitted.
Competition
- —Lime Rock HistoricsDriver: Buddy Cooperberg
One of several events at which the car was raced during an approximately 18-year historic racing campaign in the northeastern United States.
- —Pocono historic race meetingDriver: Buddy Cooperberg
Part of a broader pattern of northeastern US historic racing appearances over roughly two decades.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2001MechanicalGMT Racing
Pre-competition preparation carried out on arrival in the USA: a full competition engine fitted, fuel cell and roll bar installed, and period-style wheels drilled for reduced weight.
Work undertaken at GMT Racing in Danbury following the car's importation from Europe, in preparation for track and historic race use.
- —RestorationKarroseriebau M. von Hoff
Full body-off, ground-up restoration stripping the car to its bare chassis and rebuilding it comprehensively. The original engine had been lost prior to this work; a correct 74-series block was sourced and rebuilt to 328 specifications. Some body panels were replaced during the process.
Carried out in Weinsheim, Germany, during the early 1990s under the ownership of Jurgen Pollack. A photographic record of the restoration is on file.
- —Inspection
German TUV valuation report prepared, referencing factory records relating to the car's original delivery.
Report dated 1995; copy retained in the car's documentation file.
- —Restoration
Car returned to road-going specification in later years. The original engine block for the chassis was subsequently located and sourced by Max Conover; it is crated with the car but not currently installed.
Four original wheels also accompany the car.
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