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BMW Trivia

Check out our BMW Trivia. You will find out interesting things about the Premier BMW car.

What does BMW stand for?
German: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
English: Bavarian Motor Works

What does the BMW Roundel symbolize?
The Roundel logo stems from the days of its aircraft heritage, and symbolizes a spinning propeller.

What was the first car to sport the famous blue-and-white roundel and when did it first appear?
The BMW 3/15 in September 1928

What BMW model was the first to use the classic kidney grille?
1933 BMW 303. The BMW 303 was even BMW's first 6 cylinder model. It produced 30 horsepower at 3500 rpm. The top speed was between 56 and 62 mph. 2,300 were produced.

Who had the original contract to build the 1978 BMW M1?
Lamborghini. The Giugiaro-designed M1 was to be assembled by Lamborghini, but Lamborghini's poor financial situation and assembly delays caused BMW to move the assembly elsewhere.

Who manufactured the M1?
The M1 was manufactured by Baur, though it was the first vehicle produced by BMW Motorsport.

How many production M1 cars were ultimately built?
400. The M1 produced 277 hp @ 6500 rpm with torque of 243 lb at 5000 rpm. It had a top speed of 162 mph.

What was the nickname of the BMW’s made in the early 50’s? Why were they so called?
Baroque Angels. Because their bulbous and flowing lines reminded people of the carved wooden figures in South German and Austrian churches of the Baroque period.

What is the difference between the BMW Isetta and the BMW 600?
The 600 was an enlarged Isetta with more power and a four-wheel configuration.

Why did the BMW Isetta have three wheels?
Because three-wheelers attracted less purchase tax and their road fund license was cheaper.

What BMW model was the competitor in Germany to the VW Beetle? What was one of its major attractions?
The BMW 700. It's chic Italian styling by Giovanni Michelotti. The BMW 700 was built with an air-cooled "Boxer" engine in the rear.

What classic BMW roadster was the rival of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL? How many were produced?
The BMW 507. Just 252 507's were sold between 1956 and 1959 as it was never able to reach commercial success.

Why is Bimmer slang for BMW cars and not Beamer/Beemer?
The answer in part lies in BMW's history. Many years ago, BMW was big in motorcycles. Back in those days, BMW motorcycles were very active in racing, and one of its competitors on the track was often the BSA bikes. A track slang developed, and the BMWs were usually referred to as 'beemers' and the BSAs were referred to as 'beesers'.

Which BMW introducded the "Series" Nomenclature?
It was the BMW E12 5-Series that first introduced the "Series" nomenclature for BMW models.

Which small performance sedan was BMW's 1st success in the United States
BMW 2002

In what year was BMW Motorsport founded?
1972

When was the 1st generation of 7 Series introduced?
1978

Why did BMW discontinue making airplane engines?
The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, forbid Germany from manufacturing aircraft. Therefore BMW was no longer allowed to build the aircraft engines. Max Friz, BMW's head designer, turned to motorcycle and automobile engines to keep BMW alive.