1936 Frazer Nash BMW 315

This unusual example of the 315 was produced in 1936 and was officially known as the “Cabriolet Saloon” and built on the same underpinnings that so impressed “HJ” back in 1934. Frazer Nash described the Cabriolet Saloon as “absolutely weatherproof even in the most adverse weather conditions. An open car with all its advantages on a fine day, whilst also retaining comfort for passengers in its freedom from draughts.” This model soon became colloquially known as the “sunshine saloon.”

Registration records suggest that this 315 may have had as few as three owners during its 83-year history. Changes of owner are documented in June 2003 and February 2023. This suggests some reassuringly long periods of ownership and enjoyment. One of these owners was reputed to have been Geoff Hare who is well known in Frazer Nash and vintage car circles. Geoff had owned a number of the “chain gang” Frazer Nash cars and been the restorer of many others.

During this ownership the car was meticulously restored and mechanically rebuilt to a very high standard and, seemingly, without regard to cost. The car is now in the ownership of a Wexford, Ireland based garage group and is available to only its fourth owner to use and enjoy this summer.

To all intents and purposes this 315 Cabriolet Saloon is a standard saloon with a tightly fitting hood where the steel roof and rear window panel would have been. This enables the occupants to roll back the roof with the door tops, windows and windscreen remaining in place. One can’t help thinking it represented an ideal compromise for the famously changeable British weather.

Our example presents in a delightful green livery, which is believed to be its original colour but has certainly been professionally reapplied during its earlier restoration. The finish looks appropriately thick and smoothly applied with a deep, lustrous shine in evidence throughout. The sweeping wings and connective running boards are finished in a deep and shiny black paint. The bodywork also presents very well with the shut lines and panel gaps looking tight and symmetrical for a car of this age.

The front of the 315 is dominated by the large, externally mounted headlamps. The black, chrome bordered twin grills exhibit the origins of the later, signature BMW “kidney” grills. The big front bumper is deeply chromed as is the surround of the top hinged, opening windscreen. The centre hinged bonnet is comprised of two upwards opening, vented panels.

The rear aspect features a protruding luggage trunk with a spare wheel and tyre mounted to its outside. The roll back hood is finished in a black fabric and, when open, is enclosed in a neat, fitted tonneau “envelope.” The hood is believed to have been replaced at the car’s earlier restoration. The car features its original, charming light lenses and even the semaphore indicators are still present. The Frazer-Nash appended BMW badges are present on the nose of the car and on the wheel centres.

The car sits on black painted, cross-spoked wire wheels. These 16-inch items are immaculately finished and shod with a matching set of B. F. Goodrich Long Mile 4-ply radial tyres.

The interior presents in a highly original condition in hues of dark green. It can’t claim to be a concourse condition cabin but is in an excellent useable condition with its admirable originality being the key. The front seats are finished in a dark green Naugahyde type material. This is likely original and stitched into vertical box pleats. No holes or tears were noted or reported but some of the stitching on the driver’s seat may benefit from reworking.

These seats fold forwards to provide access to the rear bench, which is identically trimmed and in, seemingly, fine order. The headlining of the hood is finished in a light grey hue and appears clean, tightly fitted and in excellent condition throughout. The “post-box” rear window is rimmed with a chrome finished on the inside.

The dashboard is finished in black painted steel to match the wings. An elliptical instrument binnacle is populated with an impressive array of dials and switches. The majority of the gauge set look to be charmingly original with ivory-coloured faces. This includes an unusual and innovative combined speedometer and tachometer. The white-faced Smiths clock and the black faced fuel gauge may well be later replacements.

A central, jointed alloy arm controls and moderates the opening of the bottom edge of the windscreen. A large three spoke, Bakelite steering wheel is fitted. Useful storage compartments are set into either end of the dashboard. Door cards and rear side panels are finished in the same dark green Naugahyde and appear to be in excellent condition. The green carpets look a little threadbare in places and may represent the only aspect of the interior that may benefit from imminent attention.

Compared the Frazer Nash cars and many others of the period, the BMWs were technically advanced, beautifully engineered and mechanically sophisticated. For starters the engines were in-line six-cylinder units of relatively modest capacity making them smooth and refined. This 315 is

fitted with a 1,490cc in-line six-cylinder unit fed by two Solex 26mm updraught carburettors. The valve gear is a camshaft in block design with push rods, rockers, tappets and springs. In this configuration the engine produced around 34bhp at 4,000rpm which was usefully competitive for the period and endowed the car with a 65mph top speed.

The underpinnings were sophisticated too with a lightweight A-frame tubular frame, transverse leaf springs with lower wishbone suspension and four-wheel brakes. Rack and pinion steering was also present.

During its earlier restoration we know that the mechanical systems were professionally rebuilt and refurbished to a high standard. This is further supported by the excellent under-bonnet presentation. A range of original data plates are present and correct. The current owner attests to the car “driving very well with plenty of power from the engine. Everything works as it should.”

There is plenty of interesting accompanying paperwork with the Frazer Nash BMW. This includes the original registration and taxation document with handwritten entries starting in 1936. There is also a Vintage Sports Car Club eligibility certificate from the early 2000s.

There are copies of the appropriate workshop manuals, an original Solex carburettor manual and numerous earlier MoT certificates and tax discs. A lever arch file of invoices from various points in the car’s history is also on hand.

The 315 Cabriolet Saloon is a rare and charming car from a fascinating time point in BMW’s history. With the ubiquity of BMWs on our roads today, it is easy to forget that their foundation in the UK was thanks to a decidedly parochial British firm run by three brothers known only by their initials.

This car is in a rare and appealing configuration and, by far, the rarest of the boy styles of the remaining 40 or so UK 315s. The condition is, clearly, excellent with the car having benefitted from a diligent earlier restoration by a marque specialist. This results in a car which remains eminently useable and admirably original despite its recommissioning and restoration. Given this conflation of positives this is a fine example which is bound to turn heads and initiate conversations in equal measure.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Wexford, Ireland. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.