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A sports car that happens to have five seats - BMW 1800 in the (historic) test

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Created on November 15, 1963

Reading time 19min

Written by:

Clauspeter Becker

Photos:

BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW AG

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Archiv

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BMW 1800 (1963) - für Männer mit Hut?

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BMW 1800 (1963) - 90 PS standen zur Disposition

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BMW 1800 (1963) - klassische Dreivolumen-Limousine

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BMW 1800 (1963) - kompakte und leistungsstarke Limousine

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Verbindung von klassischer Eleganz und sportlichen Fahrleistungen

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BMW 1800 (1963) - ein Testwagen im Einsatz

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Frontansicht

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BMW 1800 (1963) - für den anspruchsvollen Autofahrer

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BMW 1800 (1963) - stilsichere und zeitlose Form und Eleganz

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BMW 1800 (1964) - mit der berühmten Niere in der Mitte des Bugs

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Armaturenbrett

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BMW 1800 (1963) - modern gestaltetes Interieur

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Blick auf den Fahrerarbeitsplatz

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BMW 1800 (1963) - viel Platz für die Vornsitzenden

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BMW 1800 (1963) - weit öffnende Türen

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Türinnenverkleidung

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BMW 1800 (1963) - 90 PS bei 5250 U/min

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Reihenvierzylinder

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Blick unter die Motorhaube

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BMW 1800 (1963) - längs eingebauter Vierzylinder

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BMW 1800 (1973) - Blick in den Kofferraum

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Blick in den Kofferraum

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BMW 1800 (1963) - hochliegende Blinkerleuchten

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Typenbezeichnung auf dem Heck

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BMW 1800 (1973) - Durchsichtszeichnung der 160-km/h-Limousine

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BMW 1800 (1973) - Bodengruppe und Fahrwerk der Modelle 1500/1800

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Ansaug- und Auspuffsystem

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BMW 1800 (1963) - Internationale Automobilausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt 1963 - viertürige Version in vollem Glanz

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BMW 1800 (1969) - 90 PS leistete das "Einstiegsmodell"

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BMW 1500 (1961) - die neue Klasse war stets von vielen Intererssierten umgeben - Internationale Automobilausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt 1961

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BMW 1500 (1962) - an einer Kreuzung

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BMW 1500 (1962) - der Star auf jedem Foto

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BMW 1500 (1962) - der Stolz jeden Besitzers

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BMW 1500 (1962) - der Traum vieler Autofans

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BMW 1500 (1961) - Lenkrad und Armaturenbrett

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BMW 1500 (1963) - ausgerüstet mit 6-Volt-Stromanlage und der entsprechenden Batterie

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BMW 1500 (1962) - Durchsichtszeichnung

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BMW 2000 CS (1966) - zusammen mit BMW 1800 (90 PS)

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BMW 1800 - BMW am Col de Turini an der Rallye Monte Carlo von 1964

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BMW 1800 (1966) - beim 24-Stunden-Rennen von Spa Francorchamps 1966 beim Boxenstopp

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BMW 1800 TI (1964) - sportliches Spitzenmodell der Baureihe - für den Motorsport gibt es noch leistungsstärkere Ausführungen - Genfer Automobilsalon 1964

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BMW 1800 ti (1964) - das Reserverad ist unter dem Kofferraumboden

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Summary

Although the BMW New Class 1500 sold so well that production capacity was insufficient, there was also a lot of more or less justified criticism. With the BMW 1800, the Munich-based company improved the four-door saloon to such an extent that it could almost be described as an economy TI. The car now offered the performance and handling of a sports car, but could still carry the whole family. However, the car still had a few weaknesses. This article reproduces the original test report from 1963 and shows the car in many historical photographs.

This article contains the following chapters

The miracle failed to materialize
Unjustified criticism?
Significant improvements
What's new about the new
More torque
Other gear ratios
Changed equipment
A TI "honoris causa"
More according to
No fuel consumption miracle
Needs to be shifted carefully
Pleasant steering
Excellent road holding
Also good in winter
Man's car?
Interior in need of improvement
No sports car seats
Processing deficiencies
Test results and technical data

Estimated reading time: 19min

Preview (beginning of the article)

For around ten years, the public expected a very specific car from Bayerische Motorenwerke: a BMW as it used to be.But neither BMW nor any other plant was able to build this car with the necessary consistency. Those sporty mid-size cars of the old Eisenach school remained without a real successor, because no applicant succeeded in applying the old BMW recipe properly. It consisted of a perfect blend of endearing characteristics that are not so easy to combine. These cars were - especially in the minds of those who hadn't had them for a long time - simply everything. They were spacious and elegant, fast and safe, they were progressive but not utopian, sporty but not spartan and sensitive, they were also distinguished but not snobbish or old-fashioned. Finally, BMW was able to deliver all this at a price that was appropriate for what was on offer, without turning the car into a cheap "run-of-the-mill car". Many factories have cut their teeth on this model. They have tried to follow it, they have created lovable vehicles. Nevertheless, ten years went by without a car resembling a BMW as before.

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