Heroshot

1938 BMW 328

Base Roadster
A bold move for RM Sotheby's paid off with $228M in Monterey
Thursday, 18 August - Saturday, 20 August 2022
$698,000
Sale Price
$700,000 - $850,000
Est. Range
Yes
Reserve
20 August 2022
Sold Date
357
Lot Number
#2
Recent restoration
RM Sotheby's
Auction House
Chassis number 85144. Black over black leather. 1971cc L6. Centerlock wheels, Avon Turbosteel tires.

Evaluation: Supplied new to Automag in Munich, the first recognized BMW dealership. Partially restored throughout the 1980s but never quite finished, then concours restored from 2012-19. Fresh and gorgeous. Thoroughly but not excessively restored. Nice enough to show, not too nice to drive. An ideal combo.

Bottom line: With a tubular ladder-type chassis, independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes and overhead valve straight-six with hemispherical combustion chambers (an engine found later in Bristols and ACs), the 328 was one of the best and most advanced prewar sports cars. Some even call it the first modern sports car. Prices vary widely depending on provenance and condition, but these days somewhere above half a million and below a million is the going rate. Back in 2010, this one was a $330,000 no-sale at Pebble Beach, but that was before its restoration, and the quality of work was rewarded handsomely (and fairly) here. That said, Gooding’s spectacular all-original 328 stole the show at $874,000.

by Andrew Newton
6 September 2022

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