BMW 309

BMW cars archive - the 1930's

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Visit also: 1931 BMW 3/15 DA 4 | 1932 BMW 3/20 PS | 1933 BMW 303 | 1934 BMW 315 | 1935 BMW 3/15 Ihle Type 600 / 800

After BMW had become automobile manufacturers relatively late, in 1928, by acquiring the "Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach", a subsidiary of the "Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG", manufacturers of the Dixi cars, it was content at first to continue to build and improve on the existing 3/15 small car, manufactured under the Austin licence.

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 photo gallery

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 - convertible version

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 cabriolet - front side view

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 - saloon/sedan version

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 - convertible with soft top

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 - vehicle for German Post Office

1934 - 1936 BMW 309 technical specifications
Type	Saloon, Cabrio-saloon, Cabriolet and Tourer
Engine
Code	-
Displacement	845cc
Cylinders	4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Power	16kW \| 22HP
Torque@RPM	-
Performance
Top Speed	80km/h \| 50mph
Acceleration 0-100km/h 0-60mph	-
Fuel Consumption (l/100km \| mpg)
City	-
Highway	-
Combined	-

Dimensions
Length	3900mm
Width	1440mm
Height	-

General
Units produced	6000
Cost at production start	-

Source for technical specifications: bmwhistoricmotorclub.co.uk.

Around 1931, BMW began to design its own first car. The new model introduced in March 1932, the 3/20 PS AM 1, appealed to customers because of its space and its high level of quality, despite its barely sufficient engine output. It also suffered from poor front axle design. The BMW designers' high standards were by no means satisfied even with this car: in Germany, meanwhile, the national economy was becoming ever stronger and it was becoming possible to sell luxury cars as well.A new car, was therefore introduced in 1933, the BMW 303, with new chassis and suspension design features aimed at satisfying higher standards. For it, engine designer Rudolf Schleicher developed one of the smallest six-cylinder inline engines at that time; it had an output of 30 hp and made the car, which also had a more spacious and more pleasing body built by Daimler-Benz in Sindelfingen, a most attractive performer. In order not to lose customers after the end of 3/20 production, the Type 309 was launched at the start of 1934 and combined the chassis and body of the BMW 303 with the less expensive driveline of the BMW 3/20. In order to match the engine output to the greater vehicle weight, the swept volume was increased to almost 850 cc, thus gaining 2 horsepower. But even with 22 horsepower, the Type 309 was amongst the less exciting cars of its day -capable of scarcely more than 80 km/h.

6,000 customers, however, were more impressed by the otherwise substantial benefits of this model such as economy and a high degree of comfort for a car of this class. Type 309 was able to offer the public a low-cost small car with excellent road behaviour and an attractive appearance. There were various versions available from the factory in Eisenach -saloon, convertible saloon, a two-door convertible and tourer. In addition, over 1,000 chassis were sold for individual bodies to be fitted, and some 100 BMW 309s were used as reconnaissance vehicles by the Wehrmacht (German Army).

BMW 309 production numbers and type of body:

2,859 saloon/sedan
1,456 soft-top saloons/sedans
284 two-door convertibles
179 open four-seaters
101 reconnaissance vehicles
1 roll-top saloon/sedan
1,120 chassis with special bodywork

Source: BMW Group Archive

Visit also: 1931 BMW 3/15 DA 4 | 1932 BMW 3/20 PS | 1933 BMW 303 | 1934 BMW 315 | 1935 BMW 3/15 Ihle Type 600 / 800

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