Road Trip: Bavaria and the BMW Museum

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Only about 8,000 of the BMW Z1 roadsters were produced between 1989-1991.  It was originally built as a concept car by Forschung and BMW Technik GmbH. It included a monocoque chassis and electronically retracting doors that dropped into the door sills  A 2.5L inline six cylinder engine producing 168 horsepower was under the hood.  And perhaps the most interesting fact of all, the entire body could be changed in an hour equipped with only a screwdriver.  I can't tell you how valuable this would be when I've worked on cars…

 

bmw m display
The M Power exhibit displayed every single M model in the family and all their engines were also on display.

 

The 1964 BMW 700 was a huge success during a time when BMW was facing a financial crisis. The first versions were equipped with a 30 hp rear mounted flat twin engine.  It was also the first BMW with a monocoque structure.

 

The 700 LS CoupĂ© had a longer wheelbase and 40hp sport engine that had a higher 9.0:1 compression ratio, improved camshafts, and a double Solex carburetor.  Only 1,730 were built.

 

This is the motorcycle and sidecar featured in the BBC's Two Fat Ladies gastronomics adventure TV show.  Just kidding- that was a Triumph and a double wide sidecar (no, really…)

This is really the BMW Goggo scooter with sidecar with a 125cc two stroke engine.  

 

BMW got its start producing airplane engines in 1917.  Its first aircraft engine was a light weight in-line six cylinder that went on to claim a world altitude record in 1919.  

 

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