This cute two-cylinder convertible with the rear engine is the car that started it all for BMW – Jalopnik

Modern BMWs are still praised for their sporty driving characteristics, despite the many touchscreens, mood lighting and often extra-large bucktooth grilles. The German company was once famously guided by the slogan “the ultimate driving machine,” and over the course of its storied history, BMW has sold some pretty remarkable cars. But they all owe their success to a lesser-known model, the twin-cylinder, rear-engined BMW 700 from the early 1960s.

This shiny silver example being auctioned on Bring A Trailer It turns out to be a 1963 700 Cabriolet, which are rarer than the other coupe and sedan body styles, but still played a role in making BMW the company we know so well today. The 700 was BMW’s first post-war real sales hit, and later models received more power and other performance-enhancing modifications that allowed the model to achieve great success in the racing world. Its motorsport successes helped BMW create more spirited performers, such as the beloved 1602 and 2002, as well as their successor, the 3 Series.

Now the 700 is certainly not BMW’s first passenger car; In fact, the brand had been producing cars for over 30 years before this 700 was originally made, but those cars tended to be larger and more tailored to the high end rather than accessible to the masses. Yes, BMW famously produced the really small Isetta, but it didn’t achieve the same success as the 700.

The 700 is powered by a rear-mounted 697cc flat-twin engine, as it was based on the 600, a four-seat version of the Isetta. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t powerful or fast, sending only 37 horsepower and 36 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The 700 had an estimated 0 to 60 mph time of 32 seconds.

The interior was more focused on efficiency and affordability than on plush and luxurious comfort, but that’s a big part of its sales success: it was affordable, well-made and practical (at least, compared to the Isetta). According to the photos of a vintage Road and rail magazine that BAT lists, the 1960 BMW 700 coupe originally sold for about $1,650, which is the equivalent of about $18,000 when you take inflation into account. Reading the review will give you an insight into the model’s success despite its extremely slow acceleration.

This beautifully maintained 1963 BMW 700 Cabriolet looks and sounds brand new, as shown in the driving video on the advertisement. The blue vinyl upholstery and navy blue convertible top contrast nicely with the pure silver exterior paint. Whoever ultimately wins the auction will walk away with a cute piece of automotive history.