1938 BMW 327

73928roadGermany

Engine: 3,168cc alloy V8 with ported heads, sports camshaft, and high-compression pistons, ~140 bhp
Colour: Deep black over yellow

A 1938 BMW 327 sport cabriolet that received an extensive and unconventional bespoke restoration by its most recent owner, resulting in what is likely a unique configuration. The original six-cylinder engine was replaced with a 3,168 cc alloy V-8 from a BMW 503, paired with a five-speed Getrag gearbox and wider 503 axles, yielding approximately 140 bhp. Believed originally exported to Romania when new, the car retains its pre-war coachwork while delivering substantially enhanced performance.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold €134,400 (≈ $148K)
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1938 →Factory delivery
Romanian first owner
none documentation
Car believed to have been exported to Romania upon delivery in 1938; early history beyond this point is unverified.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Current consignor
partial documentation
Commissioned an extensive performance-focused rebuild, substituting the original six-cylinder unit with a V-8 from a BMW 503 and upgrading drivetrain, cooling, and axles to suit modern driving.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—
Restoration
Comprehensive bespoke rebuild aimed at enhanced performance and modern usability: the original six-cylinder engine was replaced with a 3,168 cc BMW 503 alloy V-8 featuring ported heads, a sports camshaft, and high-compression pistons. A BMW 501 radiator and electric cooling fan were added, a close-ratio five-speed Getrag gearbox was fitted in place of the original unit, and the narrow factory axles were swapped for wider BMW 503 axles to improve stability.
Additional refinements included Xenon headlamps and electric windows adapted from the original winder mechanisms. The car was finished in a deep black over yellow colour scheme.

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