The Evolution of Class

By: Jason Petrina



BMW cars are well known today as status symbols and fine, high performance luxury automobiles. But, where did this famous brand come from? And how did it get that name?

BMW is an abbreviation for Bayerische Moteren Werke, which in English is Bavarian Motor Factory. In Germany it is pronounced bay emm vay. The cars in America are often called beamers. Their slogans in English are “The ultimate driving machine: and “sheer driving pleasure.” In German the slogan in ‘Freude am fahren” which means “joy in driving.” Founded by Karl Friedrich Rapp in 1913, the company was originally an aircraft engine manufacturer. They chose their original location to be close to the Gustav Otto aircraft manufacturing plant, and the BMW logo to this day is a circular logo with blue and white checkered flag of Bavaria and a spinning white airplane propeller on a sky blue background.

The company began to build V12 engines for the Austria-Hungarian Empire in 1916 and did good business during World War I. After the war the Treaty of Versailles prohibited G3rmany from making aircraft, so BMW started to make railway brakes, but by 1919 they were making motorcycle engines, and later complete motorcycles. This led them to make their first car in 1927, a licensed version of the Austin 7. Soon they were full fledged car makers in their own right.

During World War II BMW made motorcycles and cars for the military as well as aircraft engines and researched both jet engines and rockets. Heavily bombed, the factories after the war needed to rebuild. After extensive rebuilding BMW produced its first passenger car since the war years in 1952. By the late 1950’s BMW was selling bubble cars, but not doing well and there was a move to sell the whole concern to Daimler-Benz. Board chairman Kurt Golda went against his banker’s advice and invested further in BMW, owning half the shares and began to turn the company around. That same year the company crated and marketing the BMW 700 a small car with an air cooled, rear mounted motorcycle engine. It had a sporty look and was popular, and even had a racing model. At the Frankfurt auto show of 1961 BMW introduced a powerful compact sedan called the 1500 with front disc brakes and four wheel independent suspension, an innovation at the time. This was the first BMW to feature the Hofmeister kink, the rear window line that all BMW’s have had since.

In the later years of the 1960’s, the New Class 1500 was developed into what would become the 1600 and 1800 model classes. A two door version as well as a convertible version of the 1600 were also eventually launched in 1967. Known as the ’02 series, it was these vehicles that served as the prototype as what is now known as the BMW 3 series.

Throughout the next few years, BMW continued to launch several new models, including six sedans. Throughout the 1970’s, continued new releases replaced older models with line-ups that became progressively more sophisticated and stylish.

BMW has had much success in recent years. Their main competition is Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, Cadillac and Lexus. However they have acquired several other car companies that have significantly increased their market share. Among the acquisitions are Rolls Royce automobiles, Bentley, mini and for a time Rover. Successful in many racing events BMW cars are known to be fast and well built. They acquired a unique status symbol value in the United States in the 1980’s when Yuppies – young urban professionals – bought them in droves. Today’s BMW cars are known for quality and for joy in driving.



Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com