[Superbimmer]

In 1945, Germany was in ruins. Even more frightening was that the whole country was controlled by the Nazi.

After 30 years’ development and growth, BMW had set up numerous plants around the country. But sadly, all these plants located either in the America Occupied Zone or the Soviet Occupied Zone. For example, its Munich Plant was under the control of the US and the Eisenach in the charge of the Soviet Union.

Long after WWI, most of Germany’s manufacturers got destroyed in the war. Germany couldn’t even produce their daily commodities. Some Germans had to buy daily necessities from the American soldiers.

After years’ arduous struggle, BMW regained the permission to produce their motorrads from the government. However, the condition was they must keep the emissions below 250cc. Meanwhile, most Germans got rich gradually, spouting out several “millionaires” around the country. National consumption desire rose gradually as well.

On the “vast territory” of Europe’s 7th largest country (the land area of West and East Germany add up to that of the Yunnan Province of China), all consumers bears one sentence in mind “We want cars”!

Thus, in 1948, the first BMW R24 appeared.

Following the consistent dynamic design style of BMW Motorrad, the 250cc single-cylinder motorrad utilized the classic shaft driving device. With high quality and reasonable price, BMW R24 was well appreciated by consumers. It’s also said that even the presidential motorcade chose BMW R24 at that time.

In 1950, the emission limit for 250cc got removed. BMW started to produce high performance motorrads with flat-twin boxer engine (boxer series). Among which R68, with a top speed of 106km/h, had set new standard for international motorcycle manufacturing industry.

Of course, for BMW, the Vehicle Manufacturing Giant, both the two-wheel motorcycle and the four-wheel automobile should be attached equal concern.

In 1952, BMW launched its first automobile since WWI-BMW 501. Shortly thereafter, based on BMW 501, adding V8 engine, BMW debut the more luxurious 502 Seires. Boasting the classic beautiful shape, BMW 520 was known as “Baroque Angel”.

What drove it was the first V8 engine in Germany after WWI, which was also the first all-alluminium V8 engine in the world!

Thereafter, the engine was used in BMW 507 as well, which increased its top speed into 220km/h.

Of course, those European countries who just recovered from the war, was definitely not the desirable market of luxury cars. On the contrary, economic and environment-friendly low-emission vehicles were the right choice for European citizens then.

ISETTA

In 1956, BMW started to produce its personalized Microcar Isetta designed by Italy! In the early days, Isetta got only one row of seats insides, and the front door is convenient for driver to get on and off the car.

With a rear air-cooling single-cylinder engine and V4 manual transmission, the Isetta offered a useful travel tool keeping Germans out of wind and rain at that time.

Isetta 300 enjoyed great popularity since debut. However, according to a market research, people needed a car with more seats. Thus, soon afterwards, Isetta 300 with bigger size and another row of seats was born.

This time, Gods clearly told us whether the chicken or the egg came first!

BMW 700 was the first monocoque body model of BMW. With only 640 kg in weight, this small car with RR Rear engine and Rear wheel drive was much dynamic in performance, drawing much attention on a race track once.

As a classic BMW model, BMW 700 produced more than 160 thousand cars for sale. And its successors also earned spectacular sales of more than 180 thousand thereafter. However, BMW were still not satisfied with that. A wholly new set of combination punched were in embryo.

NEW CLASS

New Class is actually the byword of a series of innovative four-door and two-door sedans launched between 1962 and 1977 by BMW, which laid foundation for the sporting brand core of BMW.

The earliest work of New Class was the famous BMW 1500 series, which was the first BMW model with C-Pillar Hofmeister Kink.

（First from the left：Wilhelm Hofmeister）

Tips: Hofmeister Kink was named the BMW Design Director Wilhelm Hofmeister who designed it. With it, the rear window of 1500 can be lowered down completely, providing more space for passengers siting in the rear seats. Meanwhile, it endowed much sense of power to the car, making Hofmeister Kink another class BMW design feature besides its twin kidney grille.

In 1972, BMW established its first overseas plant- Rosslyn Plant in South Africa. Since then, BMW started off with global production. Till today, BMW Rosslyn Plan has manufactured more than a million cars already.

Right in this year, Munich attracted the eyes of the world since the 20th Olympics Games lifted its curtain here. In the marathon, the first 1602e EV led the way in front with zero emissions, making global athletes breathe freely under the blue sky and white cloud of Bavaria.

Right beside the main Olympic stadium, the brand new headquarters building of BMW rise straight from the ground at the same time. This cutting-edge design inspired from the cylinder of automobile engines came out of the hands of Austrian architectural designer Schwanzer.

Thus, the headquarters building got the name of “Four-Cylinder Building”. Till today, the “Four-Cylinder Building”, together with the nearby BMW Welt and BMW Museum attract bunches of BMW fans from around the world, who regard them as the holy land in their heart.

Next Forecast

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Oh yes, BMW M family was born as well
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