Sometimes, automotive history repeats itself. When BMW, originally an airplane manufacturer, turned to the production of high-performance motorcars, its standard-bearer was the 328, a sporty little number that performed well on the road as well as on the racetrack.
In 1938, a larger model, the 335, was introduced, designed primarily as a touring car. Fewer than 500 were built before production was halted by the outbreak of World War II.
After the war, the manufacture of performance cars gradually resumed, to the delight of past and present car enthusiasts.
Included in the throng is Bob Stern, who arranges Baltimore activities for the National Capital Chapter of the BMW owners club.
“We?re the largest chapter in the world,” Stern said. And it?s little wonder to him why there is so much excitement among owners. He believes that for many, BMW is a “love-at-first-sight decision.”
But there remained the unfinished business of the 335.
Fast-forward to the new millennium. The decision to kick the 3-series up a notch was made, and a brand-new design was launched in September 2006. Once again, BMW?s plan was to blow away the competition, wow the critics and take orders from a hungry public.
It succeeded on all counts with the BMW 335i coupe. And with the subsequent introduction of a new convertible and sedan, company history was made.
In Phil Woodley?s mind, it doesn?t get much better than a BMW 335i.
A client adviser at BMW of Bel Air, he believes this car is a complete package of “awesome horsepower” coupled with “great launch torque,” an “exceptional chassis with full efficiency and body integrity,” all brought together in a car that he said is “drop-dead gorgeous at every angle.”
“It?s a high-performance car with day-to-day practicality. It?s easy to drive,” he said, noting that it debuted to “incredible motoring press” and has proven to be so popular that there are no cars in stock: All must be ordered.
“The 335 lives up to the BMW standard of being the ultimate driving machine. It represents BMW at its best,” Woodley said. “Some of my best car customer friends have bought one.”
More information
For more information about the National Capital Chapter, visit the Web site at www.nccbmwcca.org.
