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In his unassuming garage in the German country side, buried unter various parts boxes and old blankets, are the bits and pieces that make up one of 462 known worldwide examples of the original BMW 328 - the car that defined BMW's as ultimate driving machines in pre-war Germany. Built between 1936 and 1940, 328's won the Mille Miglia in '38 and the RAC Rally in '39. They were even in the running for the car of the century back at the end of the 1900's. These are some of the most sought after BMW's in the world. Ladies and gentlemen of the audience, please direct your attention to the gallery where you can see the car as it stands today. Would you believe us if we told you those parts are right now worth three hundred and fifty thousand Euro. Yeah, our jaws hit the floor too.

As you can see, the coach work is being painstakingly rebuilt from the ground up. All of that glimmering steel is hand worked to replace the lost or damaged. Each hammer stroke along the door frame can be seen, though only from the soon to be polished away scuff mark. The curve is smooth to the hand - planished to perfection. The manually rolled steel around the hood vent is so symmetrical it looks as if it just came off the press.

The engine (the one laying on its side, on a hand truck, under a blanket) was sourced from a technical school somewhere in Russia, and alone cost 25,000 Euro. Those are three original Solex carbs topped with steel mesh filters. Check out that cast aluminum radiator fan. So. Cool. We don't even know what to say more than that. Letting the pictures do the talking is about all we can do. How often do you fly into Germany and stare face to face with a legend being remade? Never, that's how often.

2008 BMW 3 SERIES SEDANS & SPORTS WAGONS Product Highlights

General
• BMW's best-selling Series
• The model lineup includes: 328i Sedan, 328xi Sedan, 328i Sports Wagon, 328xi Sports Wagon, 335i Sedan and 335xi Sedan
• 328i and 328xi Sedans and Sports Wagons powered by BMW's 3.0-liter smooth, high-performing straight-six engine
• The 335i and 335xi Sedans are powered by BMW's 6-cylinder, twin-turbocharged engine

Engines
• 6-cylinder engines designated N52 (normally aspirated) and N54 (turbocharged)
• Magnesium /aluminum composite construction of N52 engine block
• The significantly increased loads and cylinder pressures produced by the turbocharged N54 engine requires the use of an aluminum engine structure with cast-iron cylinder sleeves
• Valvetronic variable valve lift; eliminates conventional throttle, improves power, torque and fuel efficiency (328 models)
• Electric coolant pump, volume-controlled oil pump

328i Sedan, 328xi Sedan, 328i Sports Wagon and 328xi Sports Wagon
• 230 hp @ 6500 rpm, 200 lb-ft. torque @ 2750 rpm
• Single-stage induction system and Valvetronic

335i Sedan, 335xi Sedan
• 300 hp @ 5800 rpm, 300 lb-ft. torque @ 1400-5000 rpm
• Twin turbochargers and direct gasoline injection

Transmissions
• 6-speed manual standard, 6-speed automatic optional on all models

Chassis features
• Double-pivot strut-type front suspension system (328i/335i RWD models: extensive aluminum components)
• 5-link rear suspension system
• 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes
• Dynamic Stability Control with many braking functions
• Available Active Steering (RWD models only); varies steering ratio according to vehicle speed and other factors
• Run-flat tires standard across the board
• Standard wheels and tires:
• 328i/xi models - 16-in. wheels with all-season tires
• 335i/xi models - 17-in. wheels with all-season tires
• Tire Pressure Monitor standard on all models

Exterior design & function
• Xenon Adaptive headlights standard on 335i/xi models, optional on 328i/xi models
• Ground lighting in door handles
• Adaptive Brake Lights
• Chrome tail pipe tips

Ergonomics, luxury & convenience
• Dynamic Cruise Control standard; can apply brakes lightly if necessary to maintain set speed
• Available Active Cruise Control; assists driver in maintaining following distance
• Leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering wheel with multi-function controls
• Manually adjustable front seats standard in 328i/xi Sedan and Sports Wagon models; power seats optional in 328i/xi models, standard in 335i/xi Sedan models. Include memory for driver's seat and exterior mirrors, automatic tilt-down of right-hand exterior mirror for reversing
• Sport seats with power-adjustable backrest width included in optional Sport Package
• Automatic climate control with separate left/right temperature settings, automatic recirculation control, mist control, temperature- and volume-controlled rear air outlets, microfilter ventilation and other features
• Climate-controlled console storage compartment
• 2-way (tilt/slide) power moonroof standard on Sedans, dual-panel Panoramic moonroof standard on Sports Wagons
• Leatherette upholstery standard, leather available in Premium Package or as stand-alone option
• Burl Walnut interior trim standard; Light Poplar Natural or Aluminum trim available at no extra cost
• 10-speaker audio system standard in 328i/xi Sedan and Sports Wagon models,
13-speaker Logic7 system optional in 328i/xi, standard in 335i/xi Sedan models. Either system has two subwoofers and is MP3 CD-capable (including ID3 tag display of artist and song information)
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio, HD Radio, and iPod/USB Adapter available as factory options

Safety & security
• Front- and rear-seat Head Protection System
• Automatic safety-belt tensioners and force limiters standard on front seats and at rear outboard seating positions
• BMW Assist, BMW's system of in-car telematics and customer services, available in Premium Package (with 4-year subscription) or as stand-alone option

Factory options, complete listing
Packages
• Premium Package:
• Leather upholstery
• Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors
• Power-fold exterior mirrors
• Digital compass in interior mirror
• BMW Universal Transceiver (3-function garage-door opener)
• 4-way power lumbar support on front seats
• BMW Assist with 4-year subscription
• Power front seats with Driver Memory System and auto tilt-down of right exterior mirror for backing up (328i/xi Sedan and Sports Wagon models only; standard 335i/xi Sedan models)
• Sport Package:
328i and 335i/xi Sedans -
• Sport suspension
• Specific wheels and tires:
• 328i Sedan and Sports Wagons, 335xi sedan - 17-in., differentiated front/rear sizes, performance tires
• 335i Sedan - 18-in., differentiated front/rear sizes, performance tires
• Sport steering wheel and front seats
328xi Sedan and Sports Wagon -
• Specific 17-in. wheels, same size front/rear, all-season tires
• Sport steering wheel and front seats
• Cold Weather Package:
All models -
• Heated front seats
• Ski bag
• Sedans - split folding rear seats
328i Sedan and Sports Wagon and 335i Sedan only - headlight cleaning system (standard on 328xi and 335xi models)

Stand-alone options
• 6-speed STEPTRONIC automatic transmission
• Paddle Shifters now available on all modeals - steering wheel mounted; require automatic transmission and Sport Package
• Active Cruise Control
• Active Steering (328i Sedan and Sports Wagon, 335i Sedan only)
• Sport wheels and tires (upgrade option on AWD models with Sport package)
• Park Distance Control
• Xenon Adaptive headlights with auto-leveling (standard 335i/xi, optional 328i/xi models)
• Comfort Access
• Leather upholstery
• Alternate interior trims
• Power front seats (standard 335i/xi, optional 328i/xi models)
• Heated front seats
• Split folding rear seats and ski bag (Sedans only)
• BMW On-board Navigation System and iDrive control concept with Voice Command, Real Time Traffic Information, and 6 programmable memory keys
• SIRIUS Satellite Radio
• HD Radio
• iPod/USB Adapter
• Logic7 sound system (standard 335i/xi models, optional 328i/xi models)
• Power rear-window and manual rear side-window sunshades (Sedans)
• Manual rear side-window sunshades (Sports Wagons)
• BMW Assist
• Metallic Paint

# # #

Wherein two of our absolute favorite automobiles of the 1980s go head to head in a duel to the death. Also, we feel vaguely wrong for thinking the Mantafahrer's girlfriend is somehow ridiculously sexy, Jersey mall hair, cracking gum and all. We try to get out of the Central Valley; it pulls us back in! – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
'Oh Nein. Die Mantas.' 'Manta Manta' Ladies! [Internal]

Quick; name a post-war, air-cooled, rear-engined BMW without the twin-kidney grill. Most pistonheads would answer, "Isetta." And they wouldn't be wrong. However, true Deutschaphiles will shout, "700!" And they couldn't be more right. After the tragic failures (from a sales standpoint) of the upscale 502, 503 and 507 models, BMW was forced to build dorktastic rolling eggs like the Isetta and subsequent 600. Yes, yes, those cars were cute, but as far from the ultimate driving machine as President Bush is from reality. All that changed in 1961 with the release of the 700. Learn more/make the jump.

BMW hired stud-designer Giovanni Michelotti, creator of such unbridled radness as the Triumph TR4 and the DAF 55 to save their weisswurst. Mr. Michelotti penned a little coupe that was not only fun to look at, but that set the stage for the vehicles which would come to define Bavarian Bruce, the 2002 and the icon-a-rific 3-series. Most importantly, people loved to race the 700s, re-establishing BMW's winning reputation for the first time since the 328 Mille Maglia. Even cooler, 19 special RS editions were built, and while the donor car's cutesiness was lost in the transformation, the resulting racecars were piloted by the likes of Hans Stuck and Jacky Ickx. Finally, the 697cc motorcycle engine out back might just be the very best of all possible candidates for the Jalopnik-endorsed Hayabusa-swap.

These two open-topped oddballs are the much coveted RS models doing what they do best. i.e, climbing hills and kicking ass. Please note how the back-bonnet is lifted for better cooling. So precise! – Jonny Lieberman

BMW 700 and RS [BMW World]

Related:
Know Thy Germans: 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen, a Slippery Tugboat; More: Know Thy Germans: Glas 2600 V8; AKA The Glaserati! [Internal]

Introduced to the world for the 1936 Olympics, the BMW 328 was an (almost) instant classic that went on to dominate the world of motor racing for the next half-decade. But like the "in your face, master race" that Jesse Owens gave Hitler and friends by winning four gold track & field medals, the 328 harbored an un-Aryan secret; it was designed by a Jew. The gorgeous 328 was in fact designed by Kurt Joachimson, a Hebrew brother from another mother who had created the first sporting BMW, the 315/1 Roadster. Credit for the 328's sporting lines went to a man who wasn't hired by the Bavarian Motorwerks until after the 328 went out of production (and other times wrongly attributed to Fritz Fiedler — only it wasn't Fritz). Despite the ugly history, the 328 is one of the most beautiful and important vehicles ever conceived and executed. More after the jump.

Hyper-advanced for its time and unbeatable on the track, the 328 featured innovations such as independent front suspension, a tight and light body that fully covered the chassis/mechanicals and headlights which were integrated into the front metal for better aerodynamics. All this techie-kit would have been less meaningful without some power. The horses were derived from the 2.0-Liter straight-6 that powered the earlier 327, only with improved breathing. These engineering advances allowed the hot-looking 328 to dominate racing in the late 1930s, including an overall win at the Mille Miglia (in the light-weight aluminum/magnesium bodied 328 Mille Miglia Coupe pictured above) with an average lap speed of 103.4mph and a top speed of 139mph! Considered by many to be the first modern sports car, we just totally, totally want one. – Jonny Lieberman

Related:
BMW Unveils Mille Miglia Concept Coupe; More: Know Thy Germans (Because We Don't): Mystery BMW Stumps Jalopnik; More: Know Thy Germans: The BMW 502 [Internal]