BMW’s authorised dealer in Kuching, Regas Premium Auto, recently unveiled a rare classic – a 1960 BMW 700 Coupe, in conjunction with the inauguration of the Regas Premium Auto Heritage section at the dealership in Sarawak.
Gavin Tay, Dealer Principal at Regas Premium Auto Kuching said, “The BMW 700 Coupé is a timeless classic from the history of the BMW Group, and we are thrilled to be able to showcase this remarkable vehicle here at Regas Premium Auto.”
Interestingly, the BMW 700 Coupé features the brand’s first monocoque construction and it helped drive BMW out from near bankruptcy in 1959.
In turn, this model created a legacy in the automotive world for small, sporty premium vehicles that continues to be well-loved by many BMW enthusiasts, even after 50 years since it was last in production.
The BMW 700 is a legacy of Wolfgang Denzel, an automotive engineer and a distributor for the brand in Austria. Denzel worked with Italian auto-stylist and designer Giovanni Michelotti to design the vehicle concept based on the chassis of a BMW 600 at the time.
Carrying over the proven chassis and suspension from the BMW 600, the all-synchromesh four-speed transmission, as well as the bevel gear differential were also carried over, along with the flat-twin power unit – originally used on BMW motorcycles, that was increased in size from 600 to 700 cc.
The concept model was approved in October 1958, which led BMW to produce both a Coupé and a Sedan variant.
On 9 June 1959, BMW’s Board of Management led by Chief Executive Dr Heinrich Richter-Brohm revealed the new BMW 700 Coupé to much fanfare in Feldafing, Munich.
Its arrival was celebrated the world over, as it drew appeal for maintaining the top speed and acceleration as its legendary predecessor – and does so with even more space and without the extra weight.
The premium automaker delivered more than 35,000 vehicles in 1960, with the BMW 700 accounting for some 58% of the brand’s overall revenues. Deliveries of the BMW 700 amounted to 190,000 units by the year 1965.
Despite enjoying just six years of production, this rare and unique vehicle remains an iconic piece of the BMW Group history that still charms many BMW enthusiasts to this day.
The BMW 700 Coupé is now available for public viewing, exclusively at the Heritage section of Regas Premium Auto Kuching.
