Prior to the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this weekend, BMW revealed something called the 328 Hommage which, like the M1 Hommage from a couple years back, is a retro-futuristic look at BMW's storied history. (UPDATE: Now with official press photos.)
The roadster combines design elements of the company's recent Vision ConnectedDrive concept with elements from the company's kidney-grille past. All of that is wrapped up in plenty of carbon fiber, with an interior of creamy café au lait leather. Note too the ex'd out headlamps, connecting the old racecar tape trick to its high-tech presence.
BMW says the 328 concept honors the 75th anniversary of the company's 328 roadster of 1937-1939. The BMW 328 Touring Coupé still holds the record for the highest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit. The 328 Hommage salutes the original in its emphasis on weight savings, which comes from its carbon-fiber-rich construction. Power comes from BMW's three-liter inline six.
The two-part light alloy wheels pay tribute to the characteristic hole pattern of the original car's rims. Like its racecar antecedents, a minimalist dash cluster holds only a tachometer and gauges for oil temperature, oil pressure and water temperature.
The one-off concept will spend the rest of the weekend enjoying the company of Italian counts and countesses, and likely a duke or something, along with the rest of European automotive high society. Scroll through the gallery to see the live photos.
(Thanks to Gene Sanchez for the live shots!)