1967 BMW 2000 CS

Starting to manufacture aircraft engines in 1911 and 4-cylinder water-cooled engines in 1915,

the Bavarian automobile and motorcycle manufacturer, BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) experienced a crisis in 1918 at the end of World War I and again at the end of World War II. When it

came to the brink of  bankruptcy in a third crisis in 1959, the company was supported by Herbert and Harald Quandt, who purchased two thirds of its shares. It had recovered by 1963 after introducing new models: the 700 in 1960 and the 1500-1800 in 1961.

Failing to attain the expected sales and revenue from the small Isetta and 600 models marketed in the 50s, and with large V8 engined 502 sedan and 507 sports models, in 1961 BMW introduced the 1500-2000 series sedans and in 1962 the Bertone-designed 3200 CS sports model using a V8 engine, under the name of  “New Class”. As it sold only 538 numbers, the manufacture of the 3200 CS was halted in September 1965. In July 1965, the 4-cylinder 2000 C and CS coupes, designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister, were launched. Sharing the same platform as the 2000 sedan, the coupe’s monocoque chassis/body was manufactured by the Karmann company in Osnabrück. With a design based on the 3200, but with different frontal styling, the 2000 C had a single carburetor and both manual and automatic transmission versions. The 2000 CS in our Museum had two carburetors and only manual transmission. Using the M05 engine, a 2.0 liter (1990 cu.in.) version of the M10 engine, the coupes sold 11,720 in total. They cost 17,500 DM from 1965 to 1970. “Our” 2000 CS seen here was fully restored by the Museum.