BMW

At Cotswold Classic Car Restorations

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

(Bavarian Motor Works in English), BMW was established on March 7, 1916.

The company was originally founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in Munich, Germany, by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. Initially, BMW produced aircraft engines for the German military during World War I. However, after the war, due to restrictions on aircraft manufacturing imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, BMW shifted its focus to producing motorcycles and eventually automobiles.

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WE KNOW BMWs

RESTORATION, REPAIR, SERVICE & MAINTENANCE

Post-War Recovery Era
(1945-1960s)

After World War II, BMW faced challenges due to Germany's economic and political situation. The company initially focused on producing motorcycles and small economy cars. The Isetta, a microcar, was one of BMW's notable models during this era.

Neue Klasse Era
(1960s-1970s)

In the 1960s, BMW introduced its Neue Klasse ("New Class") of cars, which helped revive the company's fortunes. These midsize sedans, including the BMW 1500, 1600, and 2000 models, featured innovative engineering, modern design, and sporty driving dynamics. The Neue Klasse cars set the foundation for BMW's reputation as a maker of "ultimate driving machines."

M Power Era
(1970s-1980s)

In the 1970s, BMW's Motorsport division (now known as BMW M) was established, which produced high-performance variants of BMW cars. The iconic BMW M1, the first M-branded car, was introduced in the late 1970s, followed by the legendary BMW M3 in the 1980s. These cars showcased BMW's commitment to motorsports and performance, and the M Power Era established BMW's reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance sports cars.