For around half that you could pick up David: the weedy-looking but decidedly punchy BMW 700 coupe. In its owner’s hands and those of former F1 driver, team owner and Le Mans winner Jackie Oliver, the baby Bimmer from 1959 has a great St. Mary’s record: 2012 qualified 5th; 2016 qualified 6th and finished 6th; 2017 qualified 4th and finished 7th.
The BMW 700 is largely unknown today but in the ‘60s it played an important part in BMW’s revitalisation. It sold well and, surprisingly, did well in motorsport thanks to its lightweight (originally 659kg) and motorcycle-derived twin-cylinder engine at the rear. BMW 700s won both the German hillclimb championship, with Hans Stuck, and the German saloon car title in the early 1960s.
It’s a rare sight today but in race trim and with Jackie Oliver behind the wheel what a sight it makes at Goodwood keeping far more powerful cars honest. Built to HRDC 2011 regulations by marque experts Laranca Engineering, rarely has 110PS (81kW) from its 950cc twin counted for so much.
Here’s hoping we see it at Goodwood again soon. Silverstone Auctions’ guide price on the BMW is £25-30,000.
Both Falcon and BMW are being sold at the Race Retro Live online auction over the weekend of 27th and 28th March, with virtual viewings available before then.
David or Goliath? Two cylinders or eight? Which would you choose to go racing in?