BMW 303
Encyclopedia
The BMW 303 was a middle sized saloon produced by BMW
in 1933 and 1934. It was the first BMW to use the 'kidney grill' which today is a hallmark of the company's models.
The 303 was also the first BMW to feature an inline-6 engine. The M78 six-cylinder 1182 cc engine was developed from the four-cylinder 788 cc engine used by the company's BMW 3/20
model. Although the engine had the same bore and stroke as the four, the engineers increased the bore spacing to allow for further increases in bore, and to provide for more crankshaft bearings.
The 303 used a version of the independent front suspension used on the 3/20, but used a live axle
at the rear instead of the 3/20's swing axle
.
Both saloons and cabriolets were manufactured. Top speed was 56 mi/h.
Only 2300 BMW 303s were produced.
The 309 was manufactured from 1934 to 1936.
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
in 1933 and 1934. It was the first BMW to use the 'kidney grill' which today is a hallmark of the company's models.
The 303 was also the first BMW to feature an inline-6 engine. The M78 six-cylinder 1182 cc engine was developed from the four-cylinder 788 cc engine used by the company's BMW 3/20
BMW 3/20
The BMW 3/20 PS was the first BMW automobile designed entirely by BMW. It was manufactured from 1932 to 1934, replacing the 3/15 model that was initially an Austin 7 manufactured under licence from the Austin Motor Company....
model. Although the engine had the same bore and stroke as the four, the engineers increased the bore spacing to allow for further increases in bore, and to provide for more crankshaft bearings.
The 303 used a version of the independent front suspension used on the 3/20, but used a live axle
Live axle
A live axle, sometimes called a solid axle, is a type of beam axle suspension system that uses the driveshafts that transmit power to the wheels to connect the wheels laterally so that they move together as a unit....
at the rear instead of the 3/20's swing axle
Swing axle
A swing axle is a simple type of independent suspension first used in early aircraft , such as the Sopwith and Fokker, usually with rubber bungee and no damping....
.
Both saloons and cabriolets were manufactured. Top speed was 56 mi/h.
Only 2300 BMW 303s were produced.
BMW 309
The BMW 309 was a development of the 303. A replacement for the BMW 3/20, the 309 was a 303 with a four-cylinder engine developed from the M78 six-cylinder engine used in the 303, with the bore increased from 56 mm (2.2 in) to 58 mm (2.3 in).The 309 was manufactured from 1934 to 1936.