BMW 3/15 Wartburg roadster
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| Engine: |
4-cylinder |
| Valve linkage: |
side-valve |
| Displacement: |
748 cc |
| Bore x stroke: |
56 mm x 76 mm |
| Power output: |
18 horsepower at 3500 rpm |
| Gearbox: |
3 forward, 1 reverse |
| Wheel suspension: |
Front: rigid axle
Rear: leaf spring |
| Foot brake: |
Mechanical; four-wheel |
| Hand brake: |
Cable-operated brake, rear wheels |
| Tires: |
4.00 x 19 |
| Wheelbase: |
76.2 inches |
| Overall dimensions: |
124 x 46 x 52 in. |
| Weight: |
902 lbs. |
| Top speed: |
54 mph |
Year of
construction: |
1930-31 |
Number of vehicles
produced: |
150 |
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A particularly attractive chassis design for the BMW Dixi mini-car was presented in 1930 with the sporty, two-seat Wartburg. The tapered rear portion drew particular admiration, being reminiscent of
the sports cars and racing vehicles of the time.
From a technical viewpoint this model differed little from the normal BMW 3/15 models. An altered cylinder head allowed a higher compression ratio of 7:1 instead of 5.6:1. The intake manifold was
made of copper pipe and the exhaust was diverted through two pipes. These measures produced an increased power output of 3 horsepower at an additional 500 crankshaft revolutions per minute.
Although only 150 copies of this model were produced, it made a large contribution to the popularity of the young automobile maker, BMW. The little roadster rapidly gained a foothold in sporting
events and produced a triple BMW victory in the 750 cc class in July 1930 at the Eifel races at the Nurburgring. The well-known German racer, Bobby Kohlrausch, took 2nd place.
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