BMW 530 - New, but not great
10/12/2024
It is often pretended that BMW waited for certain death between the Baroque Angel and the Isetta in the 1950s, refusing to progress. In fact, however, the Munich-based company had already been working on a new mid-range model since the middle of the decade, which was even on German roads in 1958 as an almost production-ready "Erlkönig".
After tests with the halved V8 of the large luxury models had proved unsatisfactory, a new four-cylinder engine with overhead camshaft and cross-flow head had even been developed for it under the design number M530. With around 75 hp, the BMW 1600 could have become a serious competitor to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It was certainly no coincidence that a "Scudetto" was attached to the front for camouflage during the first drives on public roads.
Production was scheduled to start at the beginning of 1959. However, as the company's financial situation continued to deteriorate, BMW had to discontinue the fully developed 530 project at the end of 1958. It was not until 1960 that the Munich-based company was able to launch a second attempt with the "New Class" - with much greater success.
