BMW Resurrects One-Off 1600 GT Convertible From 1967

In 1966, BMW bought Dingolfing-based Glas, a vehicle manufacturer that had launched the Frua-styled 1300 GT in 1964 and the more powerful 1700 GT a year later.

By 1967, BMW had already modified the GT, giving it the 105PS (103hp) 1.6-liter engine, rear axle, and seats from the 1600 TI, a kidney grille and round taillights from the BMW 02 Series. The car got re-badged as the BMW 1600 GT and went on to achieve 1,255 sales in just under a year of production, making it one of the rarest Bavarian classics.

While the Glas 1300 GT and 1700 GT each had convertible versions, BMW never actually sold a drop-top 1600 GT. However, that doesn’t mean none got built. At the request of BMW USA importer Max Hoffmann, the automaker explored the possibility of building a 1600 GT convertible and a coupe with a larger 2.0-liter engine.

Two prototypes were made but only one survived

In October 1967, BMW took delivery of a Frua-built convertible body mounted on a strengthened floor assembly. The carmaker painted and assembled the car in Dingolfing and on November 16 the 1600 GT convertible was completed. A second prototype got built shortly after but it was scrapped following an accident during the test drives.

Unfortunately, plans for series production and export to the United States never materialized. The only surviving BMW 1600 GT convertible was handed over to BMW AG’s major shareholder at the time, Herbert Quandt.

Painstakingly restored in the same plant it was built 51 years ago

Licensed for driving on public roads, the car remained in the Quandt family for many years before being sold to other private owners. Ultimately, Munich-based Allianz Centre for Engineering bought the 1600 GT convertible and carried out major restoration work on it for the first time.

BMW Group Classic tracked down the car and bought it with the plan of returning it to its original condition at the very place where it first saw the light of day: the Dingolfing plant.

After several years of painstaking restoration by BMW apprentices guided by trainers, the silver four-seat convertible with a red top is now back in shape. Packing both original and remanufactured parts, the 1600 GT convertible looks just as it did 51 years ago and is ready to take its place in the BMW Group Classic collection.