In 1913 Karl Friedrich Rapp formed Rapp Motoren Werke and started producing aircraft engines. Little did he know, that he had started what would eventually become the manufacturer of one of the highest quality and most sort after cars in the world. A very high proportion of the enquiries received by Contract Hire and Leasing companies for Business and Personal Contract Hire are for BMW. By far the most enquiries are for the 3 Series Coupe followed by the 5 Series saloon and the X5. In practice however many companies seem to find they have more BMW 1 Series out on contract hire, than any other model and its hardly surprising; the car is smart, inexpensive, economical but it has style because it's a BMW.
Rapp secured a contract to build engines for Austro Daimler. Unfortunately the company grew too quickly and by 1916 the company had serious financial problems. Rapp found himself with no alternative but to resign from the company. It was taken over by a dynamic and successful Austrian engineer, Franz Josef Poop and a Max Fritz joined him. It was renamed Bayersiche Motoren Weke (Bavarian Motor Works) which became known as BMW.
BMW's first engine went into production in 1917. Following the Great War the highly controversial Treaty Of Versailles was signed in 1919, this prevented BMW from producing aircraft engines. Undeterred they switched their production, manufacturing brakes for railway cars.
During 1923 BMW produced it's first motorcycle the R32 and in 1928 its first car, the DIXI 3/15. It had a 743cc engine, 4 cylinders and a top speed that struggled to reach 50 mph. In 1929 it's successor followed, the DA2 this time with 4-wheel braking.
In 1932 the AM4 (3/20 PS) was launched this time not only with 4 wheel braking but also with a 4-speed gearbox. And the BMW of today was starting to take shape.
The 303 saloons went into production in 1933. It had an in-line 6-cylinder engine that remained throughout the years the BMW engine of choice. The 303 was the first BMW to have the distinctive twin kidney shaped radiator, which you still see today. This model had a much larger engine, 1173 cc and added 6mph to the top speed (56mph).
The famous BMW 328 was introduced during 1936 although originally designed for motor sport (coming first in it's class in the 1938 Mille Miglia) it also sold as a road car. The engine was 1971cc with an impressive maximum speed of 93 mph. Less than 500 of this model were produced.
A world speed record of 279 km/h (173.7 mph) was set on 28 November 1937 by Ernst Henne, on a BMW 500cc motorcycle. A record that remained unbeaten for 14 years.
After the Second World War BMW lay in tatters, it's factories had been destroyed and added to this the allies had imposed a three year ban on production, because BMW had produced aircraft engines during the war.
The first post war model produced by BMW was in 1951, the luxurious 501 sedan. However Germany was recovering from financial ruin and it wasn't a good time to be selling a luxury car, sales were disappointing.
BMW radically changed its strategy and in 1955 launched the Isetta 250, (the bubble car) under license from its Italian manufacturer Iso. It had one door that opened at the front and was powered by a 254cc motorcycle engine. It could achieve over 50mph. BMW produced over 160,000.
The company was still struggling financially when in 1956 it launched the extraordinarily beautiful BMW 507. Alberecht Graf Foertz designed it; the car became famous throughout the world. It had a 3168 cc V8 engine with a top speed of 124 mph. Only 252 were produced but it is a car that will never be forgotten. Elvis Presley owned one and Bernie Ecclestone's 507 fetched £430,238 at an auction in London in October 2007.
During 1962 BMW produced the 1500. This was a turning point for BMW's fortunes. It had a 1499 cc 4-cylinder engine. The 1600,1800 and 2000 followed this and across the range BMW sold nearly 335,000 cars.
In 1972 the first 5 Series was produced and in 1975 the highly popular 3 Series. In 1977 the 7 Series saloon was launched. 1992 was a landmark for BMW being the first year it out sold Mercedes. BMW acquired the rights to the Rolls Royce name and logo from Volkswagen in 2003.
Although Karl Rapp's involvement with what became BMW was short lived, he made the first steps towards what was to become one of the most highly respected and desirable vehicles in the world.
Should you have any queries or questions regarding BMW Contract Hire, Personal Contract Hire or vehicle Hire Purchase, please do not hesitate to contact us. Bowater Price plc 01494 536536.
contract hire | personal contract hire | vehicle hire purchase
Bowater Price plc - Personal Contract Hire and Vehicle Hire Purchase
