bmw 3/15 da2

BMW 3/15 PS DA2 Reichspost

To get into the small–car business as quickly as possible, BMW’s factory at Eisenach took up license production of the British Austin Seven, which had been built since 1922 in Longbridge. In December 1927, Eisenach introduced its version as the 3/15 hp Dixi DA 1 (DA=Deutsche Ausfuhrung, “German Version”), little changed from its English counterpart. The BMW propeller motif didn’t appear on the cars until 1929 when the BMW DA 2 3/15 was introduced. BMW continued building the Dixi DA 1 until July 1929, at which time an improved version called the BMW 3/15 went into production. One important change was four–wheel brakes; the front brakes of the Dixi had served only as a parking device. Total production of all models in 1930 was 3146 cars.

Mick and Colleen Sheehan entered BMW 3/15 PS s/n 21296 into the August 17th, 2003 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance with their father’s help. The BMW 3/15 PS, with a rebuilt engine and before restoration, was accepted for Pebble Beach on February 9, 2003. BMW 3/15 PS s/n 21296 won 3rd in Class P–1 (Austin Seven) at the 53rd Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance.

The 53rd Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance took place at Pebble Beach, California on the weekend of August 14–17th, 2003. The weekend started with the sixth annual Pebble Beach Tour held on Thursday August 14, with more than 130 magnificent vehicles forming a parade for spectators along a route nearly 50 miles long. This was no easy drive for the Pebble Beach candidates as the route includes some surprising challenges. The Sheehans participated in the Tour in BMW 3/15 DA 2 Cabriolet s/n 21296 with the top down.

This year BMW Group Classic marks a clutch of anniversaries at Techno Classica in Essen. BMW celebrates 80 years of automobile construction, the new BMW Z4 enjoys the distinguished company of the BMW Z1, Z3 and Z8, while the BMW 700 looks back 50 years to the time when it set the company back on track. The MINI brand, meanwhile, surveys a somewhat different history: it was 50 years ago that this small British car won over the hearts of motorists and rapidly emerged as a cult car. As ever, visitors will find all these models in Hall 12.

“Such a wide thematic range can only be covered with the help of the BMW and MINI clubs,” says Karl Baumer, Director of BMW Group Classic, highlighting the role played by the club networks for both brands. “As on the road, here at the fair too it is the car owners who are the ambassadors of the brands.” To ensure that this sheer variety of models continues to grace the roads in future, BMW Group Classic is ramping up its spare parts supply. The range provided by Munich’s custodians of the past extends from the earliest pre-war parts all the way to spares for the second BMW 3 Series. In addition to parts supply, BMW Classic now also offers restoration work, servicing and vehicle certificates. “The aim was to expand our range and be able to offer our customers more services,” says Ralf Vierlein, responsible for development and technology at BMW Group Classic. The feedback has been very positive. “We are delighted at the huge response we are getting,” says Vierlein in a first positive review for this year. BMW Group Classic presents its latest range of services at Techno Classica with a workshop and a spare parts service.