BMW 700 Sport
The BMW 700 is the car that saved BMW from financial collapse and possible takeover by Daimler-Benz. In the late 1950s, BMW was losing money on expensive luxury sedans and struggling microcars. Designer Giovanni Michelotti created elegant coupe and sedan bodies to house BMW's motorcycle-derived flat-twin engine mounted in the rear. The result was a proper small car that looked modern and drove well despite modest performance. The 700 Sport coupe variant added sporty styling touches and became popular in motorsport. Over 188,000 units sold from 1959-1965, generating the profits that allowed BMW to develop the Neue Klasse sedans that established the modern BMW brand. Without the 700, BMW would likely not exist today.
More common than many German classics due to production volume. Motorcycle-derived flat-twin is simple and reliable but parts specialized. Rust is major concern in body structure. Sport coupe most desirable variant. Convertibles rare and valuable. Racing history adds appeal. Values rising as importance in BMW history recognized. Later LS models had improved trim. Original condition cars increasingly rare.
188,121 total 700s produced from 1959-1965. Variants included Sedan, Coupe, Sport Coupe, Convertible, and LS Luxus. The Sport coupe offered enhanced performance and styling. Successfully competed in touring car racing. Profits from 700 sales funded development of New Class sedans. Final 700s built alongside early 1600 models. Michelotti styling was elegant and modern.