This edition of Auction Dilemma focuses on two cars from the 1960s with unique and partially overlapping origin stories. Let's look at a 1968 BMW-Glas 3000 V8 and a 1965 Volvo P1800S, both of which are up for auction at bringatrailer.com. For American car shoppers of the era wanting a distinctly sporty coupe, (not a 2-door version of a sedan) there of course the Ford Mustang, which launched in 1964, and similar ponycars such as the Camaro, Barracuda and others, all of which were still a bit big, and traditionally engineered. British coupes were tiny and unreliable, and the onslaught of Japanese options hadn't begun. So, some choosy buyers turned to distinctive European options for uncommon cars with peculiar characteristics.
1968 BMW-Glas 3000 V8
BMWs first went on sale in the U.S. in 1956, and the company's first American dealership didn't even open until 1975. So, any BMW older than 45 years is a rarity in the U.S, and this BMW-Glas 3000 is even rarer. While technically a BMW by badge, the car originated as a product of a small German company, Hans Glas GmbH, which traces its origins back to the late 19th century as a maker of farm equipment.
In 1966, BMW, in need of more factory capacity, bought the company. During the transition, BMW added its name to well-engineered Hans cars. This 3000 model was penned by Italian designer Pietro Frua (and be sure to read about the Volvo below for some interesting design coincidence) and is only one of 389 units built from 1967-68. The listing reports that this car spent previous time in a German museum before being imported into the U.S.
So here we have a BMW without twin kidneys or a Hoffmeister kink. While the classic red exterior and straightforward body design easily reinforce the car's age, the advanced for-its-day technology includes a 3.0L V-8 with belt-drive overhead cams and four-speed manual transmission. The seller reports that mileage for this rear-wheel-drive four-seater is about 83,000 kilometers (about 52,000 miles).
Inside, the low-back buckets seats finished in black vinyl with corduroy inserts appear to be in museum condition. The wood-rimmed steering wheel and multi-gauge driver console add to the 3000's welcoming appearance. Other interior features include safety belts for the front seats, a heater, and a Becker radio.
1965 Volvo P1800S
Automotive history can have some unusual overlap, and that's where the Volvo P1800 comes into play with our Auction Dilemma story. In the 1950s, Volvo was looking for a sports car to increase showroom traffic and ordered design proposals from Italy. In the meantime, Volvo advisor Helmer Petterson helped his son, Pelle, secure a job with Pietro Frua (designer of the BMW-Glas 3000). At a 1957 Volvo board meeting, Helmer snuck his son's design into the mix, which was ultimately selected as the winner. Pelle would go on to be a noted boat designer and win Olympic medals in yacht racing. Elements of the original P1800 design live on today in Volvo's Polestar 1 EV.
According to the BaT listing, this 1965 P1800 was purchased new by a U.S. naval officer in Sweden and brought back to Virginia via Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program. The original owner sold the car in 1990 to William Jeanes, the former editor-in-chief and publisher of Car and Driver and Road & Track. The seller acquired the car in 1995 and performed an extensive, award-winning restoration as it's seen now in factory Pearl White over a black leather interior. The numbers-matching 1.8L inline four-cylinder is paired with a four-speed manual transmission transferring power to the rear wheels. The odometer shows about 1,000 miles, but the seller reports that the actual mileage is unknown.
The interior was refreshed with re-upholstered black leather seats and replacement carpeting. The seller details that cracks are present in the dashboard marring an almost perfect vehicle. Cabin amenities include a Frigi-King air conditioner, radio-delete plate, three-point safety belts, and a dash-mounted rearview mirror.
Unique Vehicles With Unique And Overlapping Histories
As of this writing, this very rare BMW-Glas 3000 V-8 has a high bid of $40,000 with one day remaining. While not as rare as its Auction Dilemma counterpart, the Volvo P1800S has a $20,000 high bid and five days left on its auction.
Sources: bringatrailer.com, Hemmings, BMW, Volvo