The 1962-1965 BMW 3200CS Is Wannable Even Today
The 1962-1965 BMW 3200CS was an interim sporting BMW bridging the gap between the Type 503/507 of the ’50s and the 2000/2800CS of the ’60s. It was a close-coupled four-seat coupe based on the Type 503 chassis, sharing the same wheelbase, suspension layout, and powertrain.
Styling for the 3200CS was courtesy of Bertone of Italy, which also supplied finished bodies to BMW for final assembly in Munich. In overall appearance, the 3200CS was similar to the later 2000/2800CS, particularly the thin-section roof, notched rear side window shape, and slim B-pillars, indicating that Bertone probably influenced BMW’s own designers through this model.
The Germans’ trusty V-8 was tweaked once again to produce 160 horsepower, sufficient to give this car a 125-mph top speed. Like the 503/507, it was mostly handbuilt and quite costly as a result. However, an aging chassis and running gear rendered it behind the times almost as soon as it was introduced. All this had to deal with the newly launched Ferrari 250 GT, which was great in its own class.
On all the test fronts, the car proved to be fast, sturdy, and nicely furnished. BMW was always reliable on these terms. The people loved the pleasant Bertone styling and it really appeals to a lot many classic car lovers even today. It was spacious and had good accommodation. But that was never a problem with the BMW ever. The one thing that made it really special was its rarity(especially in the United States).
But having said all these, it was quite rust-prone, but it never tampered the BMW cars class. Scarce body and engine parts was another problem that the CS had to jostle with. And also, it was really heavy and demanded a lot of gas which was really unaffordable. But the rage today, speaks out for itself that the classic vintage cars are still very much in for its appreciators.
August 6th, 2008
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