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

• Impressive period competition history in the United States; claimed multiple victories and podiums in SCCA races and hill climb events
• Campaigned at famous motorsport venues including Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Thompson, Giants Despair, and Elkhart Lake
• Accompanied by period Kraftfahrzeugbrief document issued in 1939
• Unique body style; finished in white over black upholstery
• A highly eligible and worthy entrant into a variety of historic rallies and race events

While the BMW 328 sports car normally needs little by way of an introduction, this unique ‘Special Competition’ Roadster boasts a compelling backstory. Chassis 85414 was built on 22 May 1939. It was first owned in the Moravian town of Krnov before moving to Lofer, Austria. The car was subsequently acquired by a Viennese widow, who emigrated to the United States. Having taken the 328 with her, it was sold in 1948 to Edward Joseph Tobin, who flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter planes during World War II.

Tobin campaigned the car throughout the 1951 Sports Car Club of America season, collecting class wins along the way. He also contested that year’s International Sports Car Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. However, Tobin wanted a competitive edge. As such, he listed the 328’s body for sale in Yonkers, New York in January 1952. At the same time, he commissioned the DiGioia brothers to devise a radical, more aerodynamic makeover.

John DiGioia constructed a tubular steel chassis and ditched the trademark BMW ‘kidney grilles’ in favour of his own custom, handmade aluminium bodywork. Meanwhile, Carmen DiGioia rebuilt the engine and fitted the polished interior. Reportedly, only the wheels and motor casing were left untouched.

Featuring lowered suspension, Chrysler front brakes, an uprated 100 horsepower straight-six, and with the radiator repositioned ahead of the front suspension, the reworked 328 ‘Special Competition’ Roadster was ready to return to the racetrack. The first documented outing for the new body came at Bridgehampton in May 1952. Three months later, Tobin won the SCCA European Road Races event at Thompson Raceway.

Once Tobin stopped racing, the car was subsequently sold to legendary American Football coach, John Madden, in California. When the car was advertised for sale in September 1990, Dieter Aumann flew to the US the next day to purchase it for $40,000. He imported the car to Germany, had a new engine block and front brakes fitted, plus chose the current, revised, more curvaceous rear bodywork. Throughout the second half of 1995, the car was sent for a complete restoration with Bruno Kühnis Oldtimer at a cost of 79,386 Francs.

Accompanied by an extensive history file that features numerous press clippings and archive photos, this truly fascinating piece of motorsport history is ready for its next custodian. Highly eligible for a variety of historic race and rallies, this unique BMW 328 ‘Special Competition’ Roadster would be a welcome sight at high-profile events around the world.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu24/.