Originally focused on manufacturing small, dependable family cars, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) took a significant leap into the realm of “performance cars” with the introduction of their inaugural model at the Berlin Motor Show in May 1934. The 15/1 Sport, a two-passenger roadster, boasted 40 horsepower and a top speed well exceeding 60 mph. This model marked BMW’s first foray into motorsport success, as the factory team entered five cars in the 1934 Alpine Rally, and they were the sole competitors in their class to earn maximum points.
In 1935, the 315/1 made way for the 319/1, featuring an engine expanded to 1,900 cubic centimeters to align with the 2-liter racing class. Now delivering 55 horsepower and capable of reaching around 80 mph, the 319/1 combined attractiveness with speed. However, its relatively high cost led to the sale of only 102 units. Few of these have withstood the test of time, and even fewer have found their way to the United States, where BMW remained a relatively unknown novelty until the early post-war era.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
