To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Munich event, 23 November 2024.

• Known ownership history from new; part of The Aumann Collection since 1993
• Delivered new through a Berlin dealer in June 1937; first owned by the Prince of Leiningen but later confiscated during World War II
• Subsequent ownership in the United States and United Kingdom before returning to Germany
• Understood to have some early period racing history
• Benefits from an older restoration carried out between 1993 and 1996
• Wears a handsome green exterior over a black leather interior

Thanks to BMW factory motorcycle racer Ernst Henne winning the 2-litre class on the 328 Roadster’s competition debut in the June 1936 edition of the Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring, the model immediately proved sleek and powerful. Accordingly, it didn’t take long for national grids to become heavily populated with the new sports car.

Originally delivered to Berlin BMW dealer Brenner on 4 June 1937, this 328 was first owned by Prince Hermann of Leiningen before it was confiscated during World War II by the American forces. Come 1945, the car was acquired by Mr Franz Kaeser. He had the Roadster painted white, cut down the distinctive ‘kidney’ grilles, and rounded off the nose, before campaigning chassis 85065 at Hockenheim in May 1948. Mr Kaeser then emigrated to the United States in 1951, accompanied by the car.

The Roadster remained in the country until 1959, with then-owner Harold Richards notably achieving 3rd place in a May 1955 Sport Cars Club of America event at Thompson Speedway, when it was purchased by a custodian in Leeds, England. Four years later, the car returned to the other side of the Atlantic under the care of Mr Charles Swendler of New York. He kept the 328 for some three decades. Then in February 1993, it was bought by The Aumann Collection for $12,000 from Touring Sport of Greenville, North Carolina.

Shipped to Babenhausen, Germany, a three-year restoration followed, with much of the work carried out by specialist Bruno Kühnis near Zurich. At this point, the aluminium body was returned to standard, and the car’s factory green hue reapplied. Special care was taken to preserve the originality of the shell, wooden substructure, engine, gearbox, and rear axle. Please note that the 1,971-cc straight-six has been re-stamped “85065” using an original BMW 2-litre block.

Accompanied by an extensive history file that includes period race programmes plus documentation and photographs of the restoration, this handsome BMW 328 Roadster boasts known ownership from new, is highly eligible for historic competitions, and would be similarly welcome at discerning concours events.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu24/.