When you look at pictures of a 1937 BMW Mille Miglia, the Bugelfalte, you get a true sense of the BMW at its most basic. There is a lot of history to this particula BMW model. One thing to remember is that the Chicago 3 series you drive yourself or see passing you by got it’s start somewhere!

The 328 MM was heavily involved in racing in the prewar years. It raced in a 24 hour Le Mans series with Anthony F.P. Fane driving, then in 1937 it had the great opportunity to be a part of the 1937 Donington Tourist Trophy.

1939 was a key year for this early Chicago 3 series model. At the BMW factory in Milbertshofen many great advances were made before the 1940 Mille Miglia.  The engine was lowered, as well as the center of gravity. These reworkings helped with the car’s handling.

The Bugelfalte, as the car came to be known, grew about from the look of the styling on the bodywork. The auto’s design, as you can see from pictures, is very unique. The flowing fenders are made of a lighter weight aluminum mix. The crease in the fenders resembled a crease that is made when trousers are ironed, thus bringing about the term “Bugelfalte”, which translates to “ironing crease”.

The engine’s horsepower was also increased by 50 HP to now produce 130 Hp, definitely a lot less than my used BMW Chicago, but really good numbers for the technology of that era.  The engineers at the German plant also put a larger oil pan, magnesium valve cover, and an additional side-mounted oil cooler on the updated model.

In 1940, when the next Mille Miglia took place, the BMW models that took place did really well.  The BMW roadsters finished third, fifth and sixth with the “Bügelfalte” roadster of Wencher and Scholtz just a minute behind the fifth place car.  This race was a highlight event in the time period between World Wars.

With all this being said, this 1937 328 model was the most unique of any BMW model, with the creasing design and advances in engine capacity and aerodynamics.  The chassis used served as the basis for future models.  Perhaps this little history lesson has persuaded you to head to your local dealer and check out a new or used BMW Chicago model?!?