Most people think that they know everything they need to know about BMW when they go to the dealership, read about BMW in Consumer Reports or Car & Driver magazine or go online and do some "research". You can't go wrong by doing any of those things.
But the truth is my friend, there is so much more to the BMW experience than just the usual brochures and information.
When you own a BMW you're not just buying a luxury car. You're buying a tradition of quality and excellence. And to show you what I mean, let me tell you about some "little known" insider information about BMW. This is going to be like a trip through your family tree. And just like you are the way you are because of all members of your family that came before you, the same is true of BMW.
Why should you care about any of this?
First, just like you, every BMW has its own special personality that started almost a century ago in 1913. Even then the obsessive need to create great mechanical machines was born. And like most true stories of "greatness", BMW has its roots in failure. Karl Rapp started the company as an aircraft engine manufacturer. With a gleam in his eye and a dream in his heart, his watched as his aircraft engines struggled to overcome vibration problems.
But all would not end well for Karl.In about three years the dreams of Karl Rapp were dead.
The financial problems of the company were just like a bullet through his heart. And there was no way he could survive this massive trauma. So in 1916 he sells out to Franz -Josef Popp and Max Fritz. For the next four years the company does well with the aircraft engine business. But it was not enough.
As the old saying goes, the only thing that stays the same is "change".
Secondly, BMW started building motorcycles in 1921. And the reason this is important to you dear reader is because this was another turning point for the company. During the next six years the company has great success with its R32 and R37 motorcycles. In fact from 1924 to 1929 all German championships in the 500 ccm category were won by BMW. Can the vehicle you drive today boast of such an inspiring heritage?
1928 was a very good year. This was the year in which all descendants of every BMW model in existence today began to take shape. For like all visionaries, the owners of the company knew they had to find other markets for their engines because the world economy was changing. And they needed to change with it.
Why is the factory at Eisenach/Thuringia important to you?
Because, and this is the third thing you don't know about BMW, this was the first factory the company owned that was licensed to build small cars. It's sort of like saying what hospital you were born in and on what date. Do you feel the connection?
The fourth thing you don't know about BMW is that 1932 was the first year the company entirely developed the first model BMW called the AM4. With this car BMW wins the Concours d'Elegance in Baden-Baden. Not a bad start for a car that would become a legend----right?
And finally, the fifth thing you don't know about BMW is that in 1933 BMW introduced the 303 saloon. This was the first inline-six cylinder engine produced by the company. This configuration is still in use in many more recent models.
Now you can no longer say that there are, "5 Things You Don't Know About BMW".
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks