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BMW 328 Kamm Racing Saloon 1939
The BMW 328 "Kamm" racing saloon was created entirely at the BMW plant in Munich in the winter 1939/1940. This is all the more remarkable because all BMW series automobiles originated from Eisenach factory prior to 1945. At this time, only motorcycles and aero-engines were manufactured in Munich. The aerodynamically designed body of the streamlined "Kamm" racing saloon was constructed on the basis of design specifications drawn up by Professor Wunibald Kamm - at the same time one of two leading experts in aerodynamics. Kamm also achieved some impressive research findings from his work on engines and automotive physics. Kamm's work is well known among experts in transverse dynamics because of an important innovation: he originated the circle that demonstrates a car's dynamic behavior when undergoing transverse movements. Kamm's circle is a model used to illustrate the interaction between friction and the dynamic braking, acceleration and lateral forces acting on the wheels. The chassis of the BMW 328 "Kamm" racing saloon was based on the BMW 328 that had already enjoyed a successful career as a series model on the race track. The wheelbase was extended by 20 centimetres and this gave improved directional stability.
The lightweight construction measures implemented in this racing car are extremely interesting. The vehicle was given a tubular space frame made of Electron ( an alloy comprising 80% magnesium and aluminium) and an outer skin made of aluminium. This means that the vehicle only weighed some 760 kg. The car was powered by a BMW 328 engine that had been tuned up to generate 136 hp. The "Kamm" racing saloon was built specially for the Mille Miglia 1940 and delivered extremely promising results during initial tests. However, the car was out of luck in the 1940 Mille Miglia and had to retire after suffering a technical defect in the oil circuit. In 1947, the BMW 328 "Kamm" racing saloon won the first automobile race to be held at the Hockenheim Ring after the Second World War. During the 1950's, it was scrapped following an accident.
A replica of the tubular space frame was created for the BMW Museum. The vehicle presented here is a replica of the original that was built only very recently. Text Paul Damiens - Photos BMW Motorsport & Paul Damiens Wallpapers from BMW 328 Kamm Racing Saloon 1939 (click on picture to enlarge)
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