The Comeback Of A Treasure

The year 2018 ended well for the sole surviving 1967 GT 1600. The vocational training team at the BMW plant in Dingolfing restored the BMW 1600 GT convertible in a project that took several years under the guidance of their trainers. The four-seater silver painted car has a history that includes changing hands severally and finally landing back in the hands of its creator.

It also dates back to a time in the company’s history when the BMW made the transition from being a niche automaker to a mass-production car manufacturer enjoying steady growth and success as well as sitting at the top of its class.

Only two prototype vehicles were built from this particular design which was curved by Italian body designer Pietro Frua. Both 1600 GT convertibles left the Dingolfing, Bavaria factory in early 1967. Soon after BMW’s first prototype suffered accident damage during a test run that was the end of its short life.

The outcome of the renovation caught the attention of officials. MW Group Classic’s Benjamin Voss said, “It’s wonderful to receive such a special car. We’re thrilled! This one is going to get pride of place in the collection.”

It looks all great and glittering and the project was equally heralded by one training instructor who said,
“Projects like this are always a welcome change for the apprentices in Plant Dingolfing. You can really sense that our new, first-year apprentices are raring to go on things like this.”