BMW 700 Sport: The Compact Classic That Rescued a Legendary Automotive Brand

A rare automotive treasure that helped define BMW's legacy is now available for public viewing at the DFW Car & Toy Museum. The 1962 BMW 700 Sport, an iconic compact coupe designed by Giovanni Michelotti, represents a critical turning point in the renowned German manufacturer's history.

The BMW 700 Sport emerged during a challenging period for the company, serving as a lifeline that prevented potential bankruptcy. Its innovative design, featuring a steel monocoque chassis, delivered exceptional lightweight performance and agile handling that distinguished it from contemporary vehicles. The Sport variant's refined engineering included a rear anti-roll bar, enhancing stability and cornering capabilities.

Powered by an air-cooled 697cc flat-twin engine that has been meticulously rebuilt, the vehicle demonstrates remarkable mechanical sophistication for its era. The engine restoration included comprehensive work on cylinder heads, crankshaft, camshafts, and other critical components, ensuring optimal performance. Dual Solex carburetors and a custom stainless-steel exhaust system further amplify the car's mechanical prowess.

The interior reflects the design philosophy of its time, offering a driver-focused environment with practical features like seatbelts, hand-crank windows, and a floor-mounted shifter. A wood-rimmed steering wheel frames instrumentation that includes a 90-mph speedometer and an AutoMeter tachometer, providing essential performance information to the driver.

This particular model, now part of the Ron Sturgeon Collection, represents more than just a vintage automobile. It symbolizes BMW's transformation from a struggling manufacturer to a globally respected brand known for performance and driving excellence. The BMW 700 Sport effectively bridged the company's past and future, introducing design and engineering principles that would become hallmarks of subsequent BMW models.

Visitors to the DFW Car & Toy Museum can now experience this significant piece of automotive history firsthand, gaining insight into a crucial moment in BMW's evolutionary journey. The museum's climate-controlled facility provides an ideal environment for preserving and showcasing this remarkable classic automobile.