1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8

Two names appear in this post that aren’t nearly as widely recognized as they should be. The first is Andreas Glas, the proprietor of Hans Glas GmbH. In the 1960s, this company briefly moved away from its bonds as constructor of sewing machines and licensed Goggomobils to produce some seriously pretty coupes; the 1300GT and 1700GT were the first and better known, but the 2600 and 3000 V8 were no less striking. That’s because of the second name involved in this post; Pietro Frua.

Frua isn’t nearly as well known as the other great Italian designers of the 1960s, but he had a unique style all his own. Well before Gandini and Giugiaro capitalized on the angular wedge era of automotive design, Frua’s low, long and flat lines stood sharply apart from the rounded arches that dominated Pininfarina, Ghia and Vignale. Glas used the designs, along with the pioneering use of timing belts, to offer a slightly different vision of German transportation. It was more emotive, more flowing and, frankly, more pretty than just about anything else in period from the major manufacturers. Indeed, many compared Frua’s work on the 2600 to the Maserati Sebring – exotic company, indeed, and fitting given that the designer went on to work on several of the Trident’s designs.

But Hans Glas GmbH was bought out outright by BMW, mostly for the procurement of the Dingolfing plant and engineering crew. Before BMW closed the chapter, though, they updated a few of the Glas designs with new Munich power, stuck some BMW badges on them and Viola! A new catalog of cars! This 1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8 is an example of the seldom seen period of BMW history:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1968 BMW Glas 3000 V8 on eBay

Year: 1968
Model: 3000 V8
VIN: 602001745
Engine: 3.0 liter V8
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 52,000 mi
Location: Woodland Hills, California
Price: $119,000 Buy It Now

1968 BMW Glas 3000GT s/n 602001745 Red and Black with Gray Inserts One of just 389 3 litre Glas coupes built, this particular car is from the final year of production of these handsomely styled coupes. Originally introduced by Glas, more famous for its minicars, the coupe featured a 2.6 litre (and later 3 litre) overhead cam V8 and elegant styling by Pietro Frua. Not surprisingly, the car bears a strong resemblance to his other work of the period, most notably the Maserati Quattroporte, Mexico, and the glamorous 5000GT. During the production run, BMW bought out Glas, so later cars, such as this one, wear BMW badges. The specification was quite innovative and includes fully synchronized 4-speed gearbox, power steering, power disc brakes all round (inboard rear), and de Dion rear suspension. The engine was also remarkable for its sophisticated OHC construction and because it was one of the earliest applications of belt rather than chain actuated timing. This particular car was also fitted with a number of original options including front and rear foglamps, a Talbot side mirror, and a Becker Grand Prix AM-FM radio. All of these options are present today and in excellent condition. The car has also been updated with electronic ignition. This particular car has been comprehensively and beautifully restored. It was kept in a museum in Munich for 28 years before being imported to the United States, and is truly stunning. The exterior paint is free of noticeable flaws and was extremely well done. The exterior chrome is also extremely nice, with only minor wear to the bumpers. The balance, including the grille, window frames, hubcaps etc. is in excellent condition. The rubber is also in fine shape, as are all lights and lenses, including the rare yellow Bosch foglights and the headlights. The windows are also in excellent condition. The steel wheels have a deep offset, which gives the car an aggressive look, and the tires are period Michelin XVS items. The interior is in spectacular condition. There are very few, if any areas showing wear or deterioration. The carpets, upholstery, dashboard, door panels, and headliner are in excellent shape. There is a full complement of gauges artfully laid out, each punctuated by an attractive `V8` emblem. The steering wheel is wood-rimmed and shows no significant deterioration to the varnish or to the metal spokes. Both the clock and the Becker radio work faultlessly, and the dashboard is exceptional. There is no discoloration, shrinkage, waviness at all. All knobs are present, beautifully made, and in superb shape. A set of period correct 3-point seat belts has also been fitted. The large doors shut solidly and easily, and allow easy ingress/egress to the large back seats. There is enough space in the back for a full sized human being to sit comfortably. The trunk is in similar condition and is trimmed in square-weave carpet to match the interior. The engine compartment is correct and very clean. It shows evidence of having been properly looked after and has a very tidy look to it. The driving position is very commanding, and the interior feels spacious and airy thanks to the high seating position, slim pillars, and generous glass area. The motor is throaty and responsive, and the brakes and gearbox make the car very usable in today`s traffic. The suspension is compliant and the car feels sure-footed. This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire this unique and mechanically sophisticated car. This example is in exceptional condition and is ready to enjoy. Furthermore, thanks to its modern feel and genuinely practical back seats and trunk, it is truly usable, despite its formidable rarity.
Recent service, Carburetor service, brake service and a Long 100 Mile shake down

The 3000 is one of those 60s cars that is both somewhat awkward and beautiful at the same time. Frua’s styling in this case was definitely not as beautiful as Vignale, Pininfarina, Bertone, or Ghia – but striking it is, and the car commands respect with its handsome lines. This one is nicely restored and if you want to have the only one on the block, exclusivity is guaranteed. As for pricing? Well, the seller’s asking price is probably quite ambitious. Even though the names and looks are more exotic than your run-of-the-mill BMW, the 3000 V8 is just not the most desirable classic out there. Neat and rare here doesn’t equal bank-breaking. Top examples of the 3000 V8 are sub-100k cars, and when this car was recently listed on Bring a Trailer bids only hit $63,000. This is an interesting counterpoint to the M2 CS – about the same production numbers (~418 3000 V8s made), but also not the prettiest car on the block. I love the Glas, but for a quarter of the asking price here, I’m looking much more seriously at a Fiat Dino.

-Carter