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The BMW we know today did not really exist until 1927. Prior to this time the company manufactured aircraft engines and motorcycles. The brains behind the BMW of today were Franz-Josef Popp, Max Friz, and Camillo Castiglioni. The first automobile off the assembly was not seen until the company purchased the Dixi Company. The first car seen with the BMW logo was the BMW 3/15. However, by 1933 BMW was producing 16 sports cars and saloons. The pre-wars included the 327 coupe, 327 convertible, the 328 roadster, and the 335-luxury sedan. During this time, BMW was still producing exquisite motorcycles as well.
During World War II, BMW motorcycles were in demand especially by the Aufklarungsabteilung. The most popular at the time were the BMW R12 and BMW R75. They were also still supplying engines for all kinds of military vehicles. During World War II, BMW used 25,000 to 30,000 slaves as laborers. Many of these were prisoners of war and inmates of concentration camps.
After the war, it took some time to get the factory back into production. The Allies banned BMW from manufacturing at all for three years after the war. In 1948, the first motorcycle since the war was seen in the R24 and the first car was not seen until 1952. By the end of the 1950’s bubble cars and Isetta’s were seen.
In 1959, BMW was considering selling to Daimler-Benz; however, they changed their minds. During this same year, they launched the 700 a small car with an air-cooled, rear-mounted 697 cc boxer engine from the R67 motorcycle.
In 1961, they launched the 1500, a compact sedan with front disc branks and four wheel independent suspenison at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
From the 1960’s until 1994, BMW created several different style of cars all with improvements.
In 1994 until 2000 BMW owned the Rover Group which gave them the rights to such marques as Austin, Riley, Morris, Triumph, and Wolseley along with brands like Land Rover, Mini, and Rover.
A joint venture occurred during the early 90’s between BMW and Rolls Royce which brought us the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage with BMW engines.
In 1998, BMW and Volkswagen both were bidding on the ownership of Rolls Royce Motor company. Volkswagen won the bid, however, BMW retained the rights for the Rolls-Royce trademark.
During this time, BMW was searching for a new factory and a new model. The location for the new factory ended up in Goodwood and the new model developed was the Rolls-Royce Phantom which was unveiled on January 2, 2003 and was launced on January 5, 2003 at the Detroit Auto Show.
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