BMW 700 and RS
Vintage Cars, Vintage Racing
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Classic
Photo of the Week
Classic Cars
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Unless you know BMW's very well, you may
never guess the racecar to the left is powered by a motorcycle
engine!
You might also be surprised to learn that
between 1960 and 1965, the BMW 700 secured 22 international class
victories in hill climbs, rallies and touring car races.
BMW
700
Poster
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BMW's racing
engineers developed the BMW 700 RS especially for hill climb events.
The RS shared some of the axle components with the original BMW 700,
but the engine was substantially modified. The extra-light and
extremely low aluminum body rested on a spaceframe. The flat-twin
power unit equipped with two Dell'Orto carburetors produced 70 hp at
8000 rpm from just 700 cc. |
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By the early 60's,
cars like the Isetta and BMW 600 were losing favor with consumers.
Designed by Michelotti, the 700 was available as a 2+2 coupe, a
2-door sedan and an LS model. The 700's success on the race track
led to more sales.
BMW 700 Ad
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This BMW 700 RS made
its first public appearance in June 1961 in the Rossfeld Hill-Climb
Race. In the early '60s drivers such as Heinz Eppelein, Hans Stuck
(pictured at left), Alexander von Falkenhausen and Walter Schneider
brought home numerous victories in this racing car.
1961
Austrian
Hill Climb
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Curb Weight: 1213 lbs
Length: 136.4 in
Displacement: 697 cc
Width: 57.5 in
Height: 41.7 in
Wheelbase: 78.7 in
Bore: 78 mm
Stroke: 73 mm
Goodwood
Festival
of Speed
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