BMW 303

1933 BMW 303
BMW 303
Production	303: 1933–1934 315: 1934–1937 319: 1935–1936 329: 1937
Assembly	Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany
Class	Small family car
Body Style	303, 315, 319: 2-door saloon, 2-door cabriolet 329: 2-door or 4-door cabriolet
Length	3,900 mm (153.5 in)
Width	1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Height	1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Weight	1,808 lb (820 kg)
Transmission	4-speed manual, synchromesh on 3rd and 4th
Engine	BMW M78 OHV I6
Power	303: 1,173 cc (71.6 cu in), 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) at 4000 rpm 315: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 34 PS (25 kW; 34 hp) at 4000 rpm 319, 329: 1,911 cc (116.6 cu in), 45 bhp (33.6 kW) at 3750 rpm

The BMW 303 was a small family saloon produced by BMW in 1933 and 1934. It was the first BMW  motor car with a six-cylinder engine and the first BMW motor car with the "kidney grille" associated with the brand. The platform developed for the 303 was used for several other BMW cars, including the BMW 309, a four-cylinder version of the 303, the BMW 315, a 1.5 litre version of the 303 which replaced it in 1934 and was built until 1937, the BMW 319, a 1.9 litre version of the 303 produced alongside the 315 from 1935 to 1937, and the BMW 329, a development of the 319 with styling based on the newer, larger BMW 326, that briefly replaced the 319 in 1937.

The 303 platform was also used for the BMW 315/1 and BMW 319/1. These were high-performance versions of the 315 and 319 respectively, with tuned engines and lightweight roadster bodywork. The 315/1 and 319/1 were replaced by the BMW 328 in 1936.

Production Models:

BMW 315/1 roadster
BMW 303
Production	315/1: 1934–1937 319/1: 1935–1937
Class	Sports car
Body Style	Roadster
Length	3,800 mm (149.6 in)
Width	1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Height	1,350 mm (53.1 in)
Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Weight	750 kg (1,653 lb)
Transmission	4-speed manual
Engine	BMW M78 OHV I6
Power	315/1: 1,490 cc (90.9 cu in), 40.6 PS (29.9 kW; 40.0 hp) at 4300 rpm 319/1: 55 bhp (41.0 kW) at 4000 rpm

315/1 and 319/1 roadsters

The BMW 315/1 was a sports car based on the 315 saloon. It used the same chassis as the 315 saloon and had an engine of the same displacement. However, with compression ratio increased to 6.8:1 from 5.6:1 in the saloon, and with the use of three Solex carburetors, power increased to 40.6 PS (29.9 kW; 40.0 hp) at 4300 rpm, while the roadster bodywork reduced kerb weight to 750 kg (1,653 lb).

The BMW 319/1 was a 1.9 litre version of the 315/1 introduced alongside the 319 in 1935. The dimensions of the 319's engine with the performance modification of the 315/1's engine resulted in 55 bhp (41.0 kW) at 4000 rpm in the 319/1 roadster.

Production of the 315/1 and 319/1 roadsters ended in 1936, with 242 of the 315/1 roadsters and 102 of the 319/1s built. The 315/1 and 319/1 were replaced by the BMW 328, which was based on an all-new tubular steel ladder frame, but used the steering gear and suspension of the 319/1.

BMW 319/1 sports roadster