A unique piece of BMW history
This is a rather unique piece of BMW history in that it’s the only BMW-Glas 3000 V8 bodied as a fastback coupé in existance. Styled by Carrozzeria Frua this car features low-slung coachwork that was both sleek and aggressive for its time. It was displayed at various European motor shows, including Frankfurt and Paris in 1967, the Geneva Salon in 1968, and Barcelona in 1969, appearing in a different colour on each occasion.
Founded as an agricultural machinery business in 1883, Hans Glas's small company had ambitious expansion plans that saw it launch a pretty GT coupé in 1963, styled by Pietro Frua. Production volume never reached an economic level however, and in 1966 the struggling firm was acquired by BMW, which was primarily interested in expanding its own production facilities.
Glas's financial difficulties had in part resulted from the introduction of an upmarket 2.6-litre V8-engined coupé. The 2600 V8 was launched in September 1965 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and immediately gained the nickname 'Glaserati' on account of its resemblance to contemporary Maseratis. Under BMW control Glas continued to produce its coupés, badged as BMW-Glas, for a few more years, the largest model now with a 3-litre 160bhp V8 under the bonnet.
Well received though it was, Frua's beautiful fastback was doomed to remain a one-off, new owners BMW preferring to go down the luxury coupé route with their own 3.0 CS.
Bonhams will be offering this 1967 BMW-Glas 3000 V8 Fastback Coupé Prototype at their upcoming Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais Sale in Paris held on the 6th February. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos © Courtesy of Bonhams.