BMW Dixi Ihle Sport — BMW's Very First Car Was Not a BMW

The BMW Dixi Ihle Sport represents a fascinating chapter in BMW's early history, blending BMW's automotive foundation with the bespoke allure of coachbuilt vehicles. The Dixi, BMW's initial foray into car manufacturing, was originally based on the Austin 7, a compact and affordable British car that BMW licensed to manufacture in Germany starting in 1928. This move marked BMW's transition from an aircraft engine and motorcycle manufacturer to an automobile producer. The Ihle brothers, based in Germany, saw an opportunity to customize these early BMW models, particularly the BMW 3/15 DA-2 Dixi, which was the model BMW produced under the Dixi name. The Ihles were skilled coachbuilders who specialized in creating sportier, more individualized bodies for existing car chassis, and their work on the BMW Dixi transformed it into the Dixi Ihle Sport. This transformation typically involved adding a sleek, two-seater roadster body that significantly enhanced the car's aesthetics, making it more appealing to those seeking a unique and sporty driving experience. These custom versions were characterized by their open-top design, improved aerodynamics, and sometimes, enhancements to the engine and chassis to boost performance. While the mechanical underpinnings remained largely the same as the standard Dixi, the Ihle modifications provided a distinct and more engaging driving experience. The BMW Dixi Ihle Sport models are exceedingly rare today, given their custom nature and the limited numbers in which they were produced. They are prized by collectors for their unique blend of BMW's automotive heritage and the bespoke craftsmanship of the Ihle brothers, representing a unique piece of pre-war automotive history. #BMW #Dixi #IhleSport #ClassicCars #AutomotiveHistory #Coachbuilt #Roadster #timelesscars #veteran #vintage #car #vintagecars #vintagestyle #oldtimer Support my: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/duskouh5