by Mike –
This little 1968 BMW 1600 GT was spotted at the 2016 Carmel Concours-on-the-Avenue during Monterey Car Week.
BMW acquires products and technology
In the mid-1950s BMW was having financial difficulties and decided to acquire the rights to manufacture the Iso Isetta. BMW’s version of the small Isetta was powered by a modified form of BMW’s motorcycle engine. The success of the Isetta helped BMW get back on its feet.
BMW also acquired the Hans Glas company in 1966, based in Dingolfing, Germany, and Glas vehicles were briefly badged as BMW.
The acquisition was likely primarily to gain access to Glas’ development of the timing belt with an overhead camshaft in automotive applications, but it was also a benefit to acquire Glas’ Dingolfing manufacturing facility and talented people.
The Glas factories continued to build a limited number of their existing models, while adding the manufacture of BMW models until they could be fully incorporated into BMW.
The BMW 1600 GT is a re-engineered Typ 04 1300 GT first made by Pietro Frua in Turin. A total of 1,259 were made through 1968.
I think that Italian styling powered by BMW was a great idea.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
This was originally posted in October 2016.
The BMW Glas was certainly a spectacular car and worth the trouble of restoration and ownership… Certainly the very handsome Frua Coachwork is very seductive and adds significantly to the desirability of the car. I had 2 of the Glas 1700’s and the build quality was quite good.
A good example of “the best of both worlds”.
I’ve always loved the Frua designed Glas automobiles. I have a 3000GT just being finished which I hope to put a lot of miles on next summer.
Very Similar lines to the ASA
very similar to the fiat 850 coupe
I never saw one in person, but I did have an ad for a 2500 back in the ’60s. And happened to pose a question here in the article on the Italia as to whether on not anyone was familiar with the make. Well here is my question answered, thanks. I really liked it and am glad for those who own one
YEP I HAD A REAL 1700 GLAS, NOT A BMW VERSION. ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT THAT BMW, ENGINEERS , HAD A HAND IN BUILDING THE GLAS. I WISH I COULD HAVE BOUGHT THEIR BIG CARS, ONLY AVAILABLE IN EUROPE
THE COLORS ON MINE WERE, WHITE EXTERIOR AND RED VINYL , WITH GREY RUGS.
I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH WAS CONCAVE FOR EASY AND ACCURATE READING. THE ONLY OTHER CAR I HAD THAT HAD THAT FEATURE WAS A MASERATI MISTRAL COUPE, WHICH I ALSO LOVED.
Skip,
You have great taste in cars!
These are wonderful little cars. I have 4 of these (2) BMW’s and (2) Glas’. My attraction to them seems intuitive with beautiful Italian styling and dependable Germa drivetrain. There is also an active International club with over 1,000 members, excellent aftermarket parts supply, monthly magazine, and a great annual 3-4 day meeting.
Again, thanks Mike for your insight,
Chris