1976 Sbarro 328

If what you’re looking at seems…well, too old to be called a 1976 model – but simultaneously too new to be a pre-War car from some aspects, you’re right on both accounts. This is a Swiss-made Sbarro 328 replica. Italian-born Franco Sbarro started his company in 1971 in French-speaking Switzerland and immediately started copying German automobiles. They’re still open today, continuing to build limited-run prototypes, but in the 1970s a majority of their work seems to have been based upon historic cars; Bugattis, GT40s, Lola T70s. What was interesting was what they built these replicas on; Sbarro installed fiberglass copies of the originals over BMW or Mercedes-Benz chassis with original components. In the case of the 328 replica you see here, the engine, chassis, rear suspension and transmission was based upon the small-chassis BMW. In front, Sbarro utilized NSU components for the front suspension and steering. Headlights came from a Mercedes-Benz. The result of this hodge-podge was surprisingly good, managing to capture a fair amount of the aesthetic of the original without looking too out-of-shape, though they were admittedly slightly shorter and squatter than the original. Having standard BMW running gear simplified the importation process, and consequently Sbarro offered these replicas in the US market through a Florida dealer. At least a few were sold here, typically with chassis numbers XXXXUSAXX. This one is claimed to be number 5.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1976 Sbarro 328 on eBay

Year: 1976
Model: Sbarro 328
VIN: 2034USA5
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 20,000 mi (TMU)
Location: Anderson, South Carolina
Price: No Reserve Auction

Up for Sale: 1976 Sbarro BMW 328 Replica This car is No. 5 of the ten cars originally built for export to the USA… I think there were in total about one hundred thirty five cars built. Sbarro has an interesting history in Switzerland, building one-off concept show cars for other manufacturers in Europe, and also producing some projects of their own design. The BMW 328 Replica is one of those. It was built in cooperation with BMW who supplied the drivetrain and rear suspension from the then new BMW 320. Because of limited production and the new smog regs at that time, the ten US export units used propane as the fuel and this car is powered using it. Some may have seen its sister ship up at auction a few years ago in Florida which brought about fifty five. These two cars were modified by an owner in California in the eighties: the swing of the doors was reversed to be the same as the original 1930’s cars, the tops were removed so that they are roadsters, paint and wheels were done, and the other car was converted to gas…this one remains propane. A VW gas tank was used on the production cars and replacement of the propane tank using it should be straight forward..although these days the propane may look pretty good. I would guess the range at about 250mi. This car was shown at the Knott’s Berry Farm show of the time and took a first place I was told. I have owned the car for almost twenty five years and enjoyed it, running occasionally in the Clemson Sports Car Club gymkhanas…good fun and it handles nicely. The mileage shows 15k but was disconnected when I got it, and I doubt there have been more than five more added. This car has the BMW 2ltr four, (intake and carbs from an ’88 BMW M3 would be fun), with the Getrag 5 speed close ratio transmission, and the IRS suspension from the 320. The front suspension and steering is from NSU of the time, and it has drum brakes all around. The chassis is of 2″ tubular steel, and was well done, quite stiff. There is no rust. The body is of a quite thick fiberglass, beautifully formed, in good condition with no damage. As I understand it BMW supplied the chrome pieces. You will want to paint it as there is some blistering and crazing after thirty plus years, see the pictures, but as you can see it still looks quite good at ten feet. The interior is in overall good and presentable shape, but a few minor repairs are needed to make it first class. The seats are quite supportive and comfortable. I have not been driving it in the past ten years and it requires fluids, and hoses, and flushing, and a set of tires. Having been run on propane the engine internals should be clean. The dash is/was a very nicely done wood veneer that has not held up well, so you will want to decide what to replace it with…paint as the originals, or maybe turned aluminum, wood veneer, you choose. There is a radio nicely fitted in the glove box, and there is an empty tool kit locker on the passenger side firewall under the hood, very much like the ones on the trunk lid of later BMW’s. I had two new hold down straps made for the hood but one came back too short and is being remade and will be available next week. So, some of the pictures have one strap and others show no straps. It is titled as a 1976 BMW 328 as I don’t think they knew what to make of Sbarro at our DMV, and I let it be. Even here on Ebay the ‘Sbarro’ listing was hard to make stick…it’s why it shows BMW in the title description. Let me know any questions you have. The car is located in Upstate South Carolina, just off I85, and about halfway between Charlotte and Atlanta, and I am available to help load. Thanks for looking, Regards, Murph Also search: Alfa Romeo, Audi, Austin, Lotus, MG, Mercedes, Triumph

What a cool bit of kit. Obviously the wheels don’t really match the aesthetic, but source some neat Campagnolos or something similar and I think you could make it work. Pre-War cars are much more delicate in design, though I think you’d fool the majority of people you came across. Virtually no one today knows what these cars are; neither the original, nor especially the replica. Right now it can be yours for just a fraction of what a real one would cost. While it’s not perfect, I think this could be a really fun weekend toy that would keep most guessing.

-Carter