Now, I know what you’re going to say….Carter hasn’t had enough coffee. Fair enough, and probably true. But this is a post-war EMW 327, not a pre-war BMW 327. Let me explain.
World War II changed the map of Europe, and the post-War period was a strange rebuilding and re-allocation period which saw serious changes to some of the names you know today. Volkswagen, a brand that effectively hadn’t really existed before 1939 and the outbreak of war, found itself the benefactor of British intervention afterwards and became the company we know today. Mercedes-Benz, similarly, picked up the pieces and continued on. Auto Union and the companies of the four rings fell inside the Soviet area of control, and as a result many of the plans, factories and engineers were removed from Germany and sent deeper into Russian control. Then there was the strange plight of BMW. Prior to World War II, though BMW had been a very successful aircraft engine producer and motorcycle champion of Germany, they were a minor player in the automobile industry. Still, they had produced some beautiful and notable designs, including the successful sports car racer 328. Although technically Munich lay in the American area of Allied occupation, there would be an interesting future for BMW. Connections with the British Army allowed a pre-War BMW dealer from Britain to jump into the Munich factory, grab a bunch of plans and some engineers, and return back to the island nation. That would yield the Bristol 400 – a car so heavily influenced by BMW’s 326, 327 and 328 designs that they even retained the signature kidney grills. More strange, perhaps, was the BMW plant at Eisenach. Unfortunately for the city, though centrally located in Germany and not particularly far from Munich, it lay about 6 miles inside the Soviet control border. But their factory had all the plans for BMW’s road cars, so after the war, they turned on the lights and started pumping out BMWs not made by BMW. This, of course, resulted in a lawsuit, and in 1952 they were forced to change their name to Eisenacher Motorenwerke, or EMW. Like Bristol, they retained all of the signature BMW bits, including the Roundel. But since they were in Soviet controlled areas, the Roundel’s color changed from blue to red:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1953 EMW 327 on eBay
Year: 1953
Model: 327
VIN: 87561
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: Not Listed
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Price: $ Buy It Now
The BMW 327 Coupes and Cabriolets, along with the similar 328 Roadster, are often considered some of the most sought after pre-war German cars. They were not produced in Munich with BMWs motorcycles, but at a plant in Eisenach. After the cessation of the hostilities of the second world war, Eisenach and BMW’s car manufacturing facility found itself in the Russian controlled sector of Germany (In what would become East Germany). The factory mainly produced the BMW 327 Sedan, but a few 327 Coupes and Cabriolets were assembled from parts on hand. This car is one of the EMW 327 Cabriolets (Eisenach Motorenwerk).
We do not know much of the history other than the car was purchased in Finland in its’ current condition in 2008. (Please message us for a link to extensive photos, that are an accurate representation of the cars’ condition.) The car needs to be sorted, but looks to be very complete. It does not look to have had prior accident damage, or extensive rust. Someone spent many hours getting the car to its current state, and the quality is consistent throughout the vehicle. The red and black color scheme was popular with these cars, and the paint has a nice shine. The interior needs to be finished and the car needs a convertible top installed. In all, it would not take much to make this a driver quality 327 Cabriolet. The motor does turn over by hand, and it is believed to be the original engine per the numbers on the ID tag, and the engine number stamping. We do recommend an in person inspection, please contact us to schedule a visit. The car rolls easily for transport, and the tires hold air. The car is sold as is, with a free and clear title. There is no warranty or guarantee implied or inferred. Please do not hesitate with questions, and good luck bidding!
If you’re looking for one, a clean BMW 327 Cabriolet will set you back well over $100,000. But there isn’t a huge value drop for the letter and red color on the Roundel, as the even more rare EMW 327s are usually around the same price. The estimate is that only 500 of these cars were produced, so it’s worth saving one. Fairly advanced in the 30s, the technology was out-of-date in the 50s but still looks beautiful. Restoring one will be a labor of love, but it is just such a great looking car. And for those throwing fits about the new M3/4 grilles; well, there’s a historical precedent and you could say that they’re more true to the origin of the company that the familiar 80s squovals. It’ll be interesting to see if this one sells for a reasonable sum; making it whole will not be cheap, after all.
-Carter
