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BMW 335 (1939 - 1941)
Encyclopedia
The BMW 335 is six cylinder sports sedan produced by the Bavarian firm
between 1939 and 1941.
, introduced in 1936, encouraged a move upmarket. This would involve BMW in challenging the dominance then enjoyed by Mercedes-Benz
over a lucrative sector, with their 320 and 340 models.
, the model that would form the basis for the larger car. The 326 had already spawned successful sporting derivatives. The 335 was also to be based on the 326, but with the wheel-base and chassis extended to accommodate a 3485 cc six cylinder in-line engine. Despite clearly reflecting the approach taken with existing BMW units, this was an entirely new design. Claimed maximum power output of 90 bhp was lower than the values advertised for comparably sized and powered Jaguars
of the period, but the BMW unit reportedly provided better than average torque: it achieved full power at only 3500 rpm, which implied longevity and would have made the car particularly suitable as a rapid Autobahn
cruiser. The engine was fed by a single Solex
carburetor
: had the 335 remained in production for longer it would have been possible to follow the Jaguar route of boosting power by fitting twin carburetors. With 90 bhp, the car had top speed of 145 km/h (90.1 mph).
The engine’s additional weight prompted the fitting of larger brake drums and wheels than on the 326. The 335 sustained BMW’s reputation for innovation, being the first car to offer a four speed gear box with full synchromesh on all ratios.
The car was sold as a four door sedan and as a two or (more unusually) four door cabriolet.
. There had been close relations between BMW and England ever since BMW had established themselves in the small car market by building a version of the English Austin 7
. Frazer Nash had been BMW’s English importers since 1934, and after the war BMW design chief Fritz Fiedler
, the man primarily responsible for designing and developing the 335, would for several years work with Frazer Nash’s successor company in London
.
The production version was launched on the German market as the BMW 335 in 1939.
on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor
, burgeoned into the Second World War
. Initially, aspects of the peace time economy persisted in Germany and BMW were able to produce 335s at their Eisenach
facility. Perfect production records are thought not to survive, but it appears that by the time passenger car production ceased in 1941, more than 400 had been produced.
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
between 1939 and 1941.
The Market
Commercial success for the BMW 326BMW 326
The BMW 326 is a relatively rapid medium sized sedan produced by the Bavarian firm between 1936 and 1941, and again briefly after 1945. It had an innovative design and sold well despite its relatively high price...
, introduced in 1936, encouraged a move upmarket. This would involve BMW in challenging the dominance then enjoyed by Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
over a lucrative sector, with their 320 and 340 models.
The Approach
BMW were producing, in their Eisenach plantAutomobilwerk Eisenach
The Automobilwerk Eisenach was an automobile manufacturer in Eisenach, Germany.-Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach:Heinrich Ehrhardt founded the Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach in Eisenach on 3 December 1896 as a stock company...
, the model that would form the basis for the larger car. The 326 had already spawned successful sporting derivatives. The 335 was also to be based on the 326, but with the wheel-base and chassis extended to accommodate a 3485 cc six cylinder in-line engine. Despite clearly reflecting the approach taken with existing BMW units, this was an entirely new design. Claimed maximum power output of 90 bhp was lower than the values advertised for comparably sized and powered Jaguars
Jaguar SS100
The SS100 is a British 2-seat sports car built between 1936 and 1940 by SS Cars Ltd of Coventry, England. The last one is thought to have been delivered in 1941. In 1936 the name Jaguar was given to a new saloon car and from then on to all the cars...
of the period, but the BMW unit reportedly provided better than average torque: it achieved full power at only 3500 rpm, which implied longevity and would have made the car particularly suitable as a rapid Autobahn
German Autobahnen
The German autobahns are the nationally coordinated motorway system in Germany. In German, they are officially called Bundesautobahn , which translates as federal expressways...
cruiser. The engine was fed by a single Solex
Solex
Solex was a French manufacturer of carburetors and the powered bicycle VéloSoleX.The Solex company was founded by Marcel Mennesson and Maurice Goudard to manufacture vehicle radiators...
carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
: had the 335 remained in production for longer it would have been possible to follow the Jaguar route of boosting power by fitting twin carburetors. With 90 bhp, the car had top speed of 145 km/h (90.1 mph).
The engine’s additional weight prompted the fitting of larger brake drums and wheels than on the 326. The 335 sustained BMW’s reputation for innovation, being the first car to offer a four speed gear box with full synchromesh on all ratios.
The car was sold as a four door sedan and as a two or (more unusually) four door cabriolet.
The Launch
A prototype 335 was first presented at London in 1938. The car was branded for these purposes as a Frazer NashFrazer Nash
Frazer Nash was a British sports car manufacturer and engineering company founded by Archibald Frazer-Nash in 1922. It produced sports cars incorporating a unique multi-chain transmission before World War II and also imported BMW cars to the UK. After the war it continued producing sports cars with...
. There had been close relations between BMW and England ever since BMW had established themselves in the small car market by building a version of the English Austin 7
BMW Dixi
The Dixi was the first car made by BMW.thumb|right|280px|1928 BMW DixiDixi was car brand of Eisenach car factory made from 1904; however, in the difficult climate of the 1920s the company found it hard to sell its 6/24 and 9/40 models...
. Frazer Nash had been BMW’s English importers since 1934, and after the war BMW design chief Fritz Fiedler
Fritz Fiedler
Fritz Fiedler , a qualified engineer, joined the BMW firm in 1932 as chief designer at the age of 32 after working for Horch, designed 8 cylinder and 12 cylinder cars. Working with Fiedler was Rudolf Schleicher, who had joined Horch in 1927 after being at BMW on their motorcycle design team...
, the man primarily responsible for designing and developing the 335, would for several years work with Frazer Nash’s successor company in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The production version was launched on the German market as the BMW 335 in 1939.
A Short Life
The German invasion of Poland in September 1939 triggered a military conflagration between Europe’s major states which, following the December 1941 Japanese attackAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, burgeoned into the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Initially, aspects of the peace time economy persisted in Germany and BMW were able to produce 335s at their Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
facility. Perfect production records are thought not to survive, but it appears that by the time passenger car production ceased in 1941, more than 400 had been produced.