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BMW 1800 - Just before five

Name: BMW 1600 1964
Brand: BMW

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Created on April 23, 2025

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Bruno von Rotz

Archiv

Not only Italian in character: "Grana Red" was one of the stronger colors in the BMW range in 1969

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With the partially blackened radiator grille, the "New Class" from 1968 was once again more in line with the current understanding of sportiness

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The 1800 stretches the rear upwards - a concession to the trunk, which holds around 600 liters

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Well hidden: the side trim conceals the joints for the hood and trunk lid

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Only when opened does it become clear how huge the trunk lid really is

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Matt and modern: From August 1968, the radiator grille was painted black except for the two central struts

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After the Isetta, 600 and 700 had dispensed with this, the "New Class" once again wore the traditional double kidney grille

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The 1800 retained round headlights until 1970, when they became square for the 1971 model year

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The shape of the wheel covers and trim rings changed several times over the years. The rim diameter of 14 inches remained the same

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Red lantern: 1969 was the last year in which red indicators were permitted in Germany

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A hint of a bearing edge: many details of the seemingly simple bodywork only reveal themselves at second glance

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The side fuel filler flap was not introduced until the 1963 model update

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The low loading sill fell victim to the model update and larger rear lights in the fall of 1970

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The transition from the C-pillar to the side panel conceals a complicated interplay of shapes under the trunk lid

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A delicate linkage holds the heavy lid of the trunk

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With the model update in the summer of 1968, the 1800 was given a new dashboard: the instruments were moved higher and the wooden foil disappeared

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Towards the end of the construction period, the seating position behind the high steering wheel was no longer quite up to date

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The gearshift was a little too far forward for the popular riding style of the time with outstretched arms

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First flash, then change gear: The lever for the direction indicators is located on the right-hand side of the steering column

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Instead of pressing the impact absorber, the horn is sounded using the three buttons in the steering wheel spokes

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The higher instruments from 1968 onwards were much easier to read through the steering wheel

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Instead of the timer, a rev counter was also available on request and at extra cost

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Speedometer up to 200 km/h; instead of a rev counter there are only red shift markings

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Instruments labeled in German. One warning light each must suffice for information on oil pressure and charging current

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Rotary knobs instead of lever locks for the pivoting windows were already available from 1963

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From 1968, the new 1800 combined the block of the 2000 with the crankshaft of the 1600 instead of the other way round as before. This meant that the four-cylinder engine now measured 1766 instead of 1773 cm3

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The same only different: from 1968, the 1800 had a modified geometry (larger bore, smaller stroke) with an unchanged 90 hp and 143 Nm

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Bayrische Motorenwerke: With the new four-cylinder engines, Munich finally emphasized the "M" again

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Technology behind the bulkhead: locking of the hood and windscreen wiper linkage. One of the windshield washer nozzles on the right

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BMW 1800 (1969) - The "New Class" already foreshadows much of the driving dynamics of the later BMW 5 Series

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BMW 1800 (1969) - A BMW 1800 with 90 hp scratched the 170 km/h mark

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BMW 1800 (1969) - If you wanted twin headlights on your "New Class", you had to fit the US lights from the BMW 2000

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Presentation at the IAA in Frankfurt 1963

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Thanks to the slightly lower bumper, the "New Class" no longer looks quite so high-legged

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BMW 1800 (1963) - A genuine sports sedan without a German alternative for a long time

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BMW 1800 (1969) - The new "entry-level model" with 90 hp

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BMW 2000 (1969) - angular headlights provide visual distance to the small 1800

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Dashboard with wood foil and two-spoke steering wheel with horn ring

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From January 1966, the engine of the BMW 2000 CS (right) was also available in the "New Class". Here, however, you can see a BMW 1800

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BMW exhibition by the Marti brothers at the Restaurant Schweizerbund, Bern, November 1 to 3, 1967

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BMW 1800 (1969) - At the end of the sixties, the "New Class" was no longer quite so new, but it was mature - and still without any real alternative among the German brands

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Summary

The "New Class" from BMW was the five before the five. More than any other German mid-size sedan, it placed particular emphasis on sportiness even in the early sixties. Towards the end of the decade, it may have aged a little visually - but in terms of driving dynamics, hardly any other German brand had anything to offer.

This article contains the following chapters

Displacement surcharge
Continuous model updating
Renewed class
Cultivated hectic
Five after ten

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When the new BMW 1500 was presented at the IAA in September 1961, there was at least as much relief in Frankfurt as there was in Munich. At the Bavarian Motor Works, because the mid-range planned since the mid-fifties was finally ready for series production. (A "BMW 1400" with a doubled motorcycle boxer engine in the rear and a compressed 503 had previously been rejected). The trade fair audience was delighted because, after years of sedate luxury steamers, rattling scooters and two-cylinder rear-wheel-drive slingers, there would finally be a "real" BMW again. BMW received around 2000 orders at the IAA. However, it would be another eleven months before series production started. After a pre-series in February, the first BMW 1500 finally rolled off the production line in Munich in August 1962. In the meantime, the wheel rims had been increased from 13 to 14 inches, the engine output from 75 to 80 hp and the price from 8,500 to 9,485 marks. However, the light-alloy engine had been discarded for cost reasons.

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