4 replies to this topic

[francoisb123]

Considering this interesting post:

uechtel 25-Feb-03 23:26 18

Member
Since: Apr 2001



As the lucky owner of a brand new copy of Rainer Simons book about the BMW 328 perhaps I can add a little bit more of information about the 1940 event. Here my translation effort:

"... while in September 1940 there was a final effort to run two events of some greater importance: The Grand Prix of Kronstadt and the Romanian Grand Prix.

On invitation of the Romanian king BMW had agreed to attend the race with their Mille Miglia roadsters. Auto Union promised to bring one of their Silver Arrows to the start. Both German teams made the journey to Romania together in a convoi.

Already in 1939 there had been a Kronstadt GP which had been won by Dr. Fritz Werneck in the 1.5 litre class (BMW 315/1). He joined the caravan, too, to be there also in 1940. BMW had intended von Hanstein, Briem and Bäumer as their drivers... They were accompanied by Ernst Loof in a BMW 321 with a 328 engine. The team - some of the men were soldiers and were on extra holidays - had intended to stay a little longer in Romania to take poart also in the Romanian GP which was scheduled a week later.

WHEN PRACTISE AT KRONSTADT WAS IN FULL GOING came the signal for retirement. Hungarian troops had invaded Romania and so also this part of Europe had been grasped by the war. It lasted some concerning weeks until the convoi of racecars returned at home safely..."



Should have been a nice and efficient car, with 328 engine, no?
Someone to have a picture, or more information?
Thanks

[uechtel]

First recommendation in such cases ids of course BMW´s historic archive:

http://www.historisc...ures&t_browse=1

http://www.historisc...ures&t_browse=1

http://www.historisc...ures&t_browse=1

http://www.historisc...ures&t_browse=1

Always a great pleasure to browse through these photos!

[uechtel]

Hm. The links don´t work properly so you have to go to the start page

http://www.historisc....de/1/index.php

then choose "Bildersuche" and try "1940 321" or "Kronstadt" for example and klick on "Suche". It´s really easy...

[francoisb123]

Thanks, I already went there, and there's fantastic pictures.
But I didn't know if it was the open 2 seater (with "1940" search), or other 2door 321 ("going to 1938 millle miglia"), or even the one with a trailer, in front of the works building.
And how did you know about the engine modification?
Happy new year!

[uechtel]

Happy new year, too!

It is a quote from Simons´ book. Do´n´t know more about the car either.