Rare Car Archive

Makes › BMW Germany › BMW › BMW 321 · Rare production · 1938–1941 Rare

BMW
BMW 321

Refined version of the BMW 320 six-cylinder saloon and cabriolet built from 1939 to 1941.

Still being researched: why it matters, identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.

BMW BMW 321 (Wikimedia Commons search)
BMW BMW 321 (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Schwer13 · CC BY-SA 3.0
3,637BuiltIndependently researched
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
3,637 Built
Years
1938–1941
Engine
1,971 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,971 cc
Power
33.1 kW / 45 PSFactory: 45 PS
Top speed
115 km/hFactory: 115 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 3,637 · Built1
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionBMW 321 units, December 1938 to April 1941: 2,078 saloons, 1,551 cabriolets and 8 chassis 3,6371 Factory production Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 321 was a development of the 320 with the better front axle of the 326, continuous bumpers and rear-hinged doors again. Only 8 customers bought a bare chassis for a coachbuilt body; a Reutter cabriolet cost 6,125 RM and Autenrieth built a one-off sport coupe.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard BMW 321.

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutNot yet verified
Displacement 1,971 cc / 2.0 LFactory: 1,971 cc2
Bore 66 mmFactory: 66 mm2
Stroke 96 mmFactory: 96 mm2
Compression ratio6:12
Fuel systemNot yet verified
Power 33.1 kW / 45 PSFactory: 45 PS2
Power at 3,750 rpm2
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxNot yet verified
GearsNot yet verified
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesNot yet verified
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
WheelbaseNot yet verified
LengthNot yet verified
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 115 km/hFactory: 115 km/h2
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    Baumuster BMW 321 Level A
    • 3637 BMW 321 units, December 1938 to April 1941: 2,078 saloons, 1,551 cabriolets and 8 chassis
    Accessed 2026-11-13
  2. 2
    Baumuster BMW 321 Level A BMW Group Archive (archived 2020)
    • Hubraum 1971 ccm
    • Bohrung 66 mm
    • Hub 96 mm
    • Verdichtung 1 : 6
    • Leistung 45 PS bei 3750 U/min
    • 45 PS bei 3750 U/min
    • Hoechstgeschwindigkeit 115 km/h
    Accessed 2026-11-13

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