• Part of The Connoisseur Collection
• One of only 86 BMW 327/28 Coupés produced between 1938 and 1940
• Recently rebuilt 1,971 cc triple-carburettor straight-six BMW engine
• Period competition history includes 1949 Rallye Nacional de Miramar
• Accompanied by a BMW Classic certificate and a copy of its original Portuguese registration document

During the 1930s, BMW became known for its excellent six-cylinder models, which set new standards for the era. Arguably the most elegant of these was the 327, which was launched in 1937. Among the most desirable variants to leave the Eisenach works was the 327/28, which benefitted from a triple-carburetted 1,971 cc straight-six engine producing 80 horsepower.

Built in 1939, chassis 74455 was specified as a rare BMW 327/8 Coupé, leaving the factory for Portugal on 2 March and registered “OR-10-52” three weeks later. In August 1949, then owner Dr Antonio Oliveira Martinho participated in the II Rallye Nacional de Miramar. The car is also said to have been entered in the Rallye Monte-Carlo—although the story goes that it failed to make the start due to a seized engine. Possibly as a result of this incident, the BMW block was, at some point, replaced with a Bristol unit.

Following its rally career, the 327 is said to have been acquired by a Portuguese wine-grower, and eventually returned to Germany. It was purchased as a project by the consigning owner in 2016, and during their custodianship it has been the subject of a mechanical overhaul—including sourcing a correct-type BMW engine that was subsequently rebuilt and re-stamped with the original engine number. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu23.