With BMW being one of many oldest automakers within the enterprise, it’s no surprise it has an enchanting historical past. We’re not simply speaking concerning the automobiles that went into manufacturing but additionally these left on the proverbial chopping room flooring. Even in case you are a diehard fan, the “E19” inner codename is unlikely to ring a bell. That’s as a result of the automobile by no means truly existed.
As I used to be studying Steve Saxty’s “BMW’s Hidden Gems” ebook, I found extra than simply the Garmisch idea’s Italian connection. In 1967, BMW tasked French design studio Brissonau & Lotz (B&L) and its then-new designer Paul Bracq to work on a mission. The thought was to construct an inexpensive sporty convertible primarily based on the 1600ti. It was even assigned a codename – E19.
Within the ebook, legendary automobile designer Paul Bracq remembers engaged on a fullsize scale model with an optionally available hardtop. He already had loads of expertise, having beforehand labored on the Mercedes W113 roadster, the 230 SL aka “Pagoda.” Loads of effort was put into the BMW E19 because the small roadster additionally had the inside finalized.
In the end, it sadly by no means got here to be. B&L, additionally a locomotive engineering firm, bumped into critical points. It was cut up into a number of components, a few of which have been acquired by Renault and Peugeot. B&L was finally absorbed by the Alstom French multinational rolling inventory producer within the early Seventies. The E19 mission was deserted. Paul Bracq instructed Steve Saxty the French automakers weren’t eager on the concept of manufacturing a German automobile:
“The French automobile corporations prohibited the manufacture of a German automobile, in any other case I’d have this pretty BMW in my storage immediately.”
Though the E19 by no means noticed the sunshine of day, it did persuade BMW to rent Paul Bracq. Board member of gross sales Paul Hahnemann noticed the completed roadster and had the concept the designer could be a terrific asset. He put in a superb phrase and satisfied R&D board member Bernhard Osswald to rent him in 1970.
This uncommon sketch was seen for the primary time final 12 months throughout an exhibit of Paul Bracq’s work in Romania. The ebook has a number of different sketches of the E19, together with a pair of V8 coupes created earlier than the roadster. These have been proposals for a model tailor-made to American tastes, however didn’t get the inexperienced mild both.
Should you’re enthusiastic about studying extra BMW design behind-the-scenes tales, then the three-volume boxed is offered at a pre-order value of £244.95, round $300.. Alternatively, the principal ebook, “BMW by Design” is offered instantly for $99.95/€90.02/£88.10; all with free delivery in USA, UK and EU.
