The world's oldest surviving 328i

[wilbur_the_goose]

Saw what is claimed to be the world's oldest BMW 328i. It's a 1937, and is in the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia (https://simeonemuseum.org/)

It's an amazing museum, focusing mostly on European race cars dating from 1910 thru 1960. I visited for the first time today (was way too hot to golf), and I asked myself why I hadn't visited earlier.

https://simeonemuseum.org/collection/1937-bmw-328/

http://https://photos.google.com/sha...Vub0plcVROVE9B

"According to BMW factory archives, they delivered the car to the Dutch BMW importer in Rotterdam on February 13, 1938, with the original color, ivory white, the exact paint it still wears. It saw little use before World War II and then hidden under hay in a farmyard as German authorities routinely confiscated civil vehicles for use by the military. After the war they sold it to a company, Salmons, who imported typewriters via second-hand car dealer in Soet, the Netherlands, in essentially unused condition.

Mr. Salmons soon got a van and stopped heavy use of the BMW. In 2002, the car received a mechanical overhaul, but they left the original leather upholstery and all details intact. Where the paint worn through few spots, we carried a highly specialized restoration out so that what one sees now is original paint with various touch-ups where the original finish was irreparably damaged. The speedometer read 14,404 kilometers when tested and blessed in 2002 by John Pierre Cornou, a noted historian for the FIVA. The speedometer works, the connections are intact, and based on the condition of the car and its sedentary history, this is believed to be the correct mileage.

The car remains in its untouched state with rare originals such as the rear-wheel spats, the hand-operated shutters in front of the radiator, the turn indicators, and original carpeting. The dash cigarette lighter was replaced by an instrument, but otherwise, there are no changes. We believe this to be the lowest mileage and most original BMW 328 in existence."

[BMWCCA1]

That's amazing. Thanks for the link. Does the museum own it?

[wilbur_the_goose]

Yes - Dr. Simone is a world-class neurosurgeon who amassed a great collection over the years. The museum holds regular "demo days" where they take cars out of the museum so that visitors can see them in action.

https://simeonemuseum.org/our-story/...come-together/

[LaVitaEBella]

That is interesting, thanks for sharing it with the community.

[nebrilon]

That's a beauty. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading the article.

[JasonDot]

iDrive 1

[pahoma]

Wow. She's perfect !!! Thx for sharing

[TxAggie85]

Thanks for sharing!

[overcoil]

It took me until rather recently to realize that cars that are for the most part in original condition are prettier than cars that have been given ultimate restorations.