1936 Frazer Nash BMW 315

Peter Bowden has owned this delightful Cabriolet for just over 10 years. “It had just been completely restored by a man called Steven Fathers, from whom I purchased it, when I took ownership,” he explains. “And today it still remains in excellent restored condition.”

That’s because since then it’s been used purely for high days and holidays. “It’s a super car and I absolutely love driving it. However, I have a BMW 328 replica that I’m building, which I hope will take the place of this car and I need to sell this to move that project forwards.” Peter also has a Riley 9, but states that “assets and no cash” aren’t allies of classic car projects.

He had the engine replaced three years ago, curing a water pump issue. “It was a reconditioned, new-old stock engine from Mark Garfitt and installed with the invaluable help of Oliver Penney after a full strip down and refit.”

It’s also been converted to 12-volt electrics with an electronic regulator and stronger Lockheed hydraulic brakes. “It drives really well and is ideal for touring as there is plenty of luggage space and a proper hood for when the weather turns.”

Peter says that it’s a reluctant sale, but also admitted that “that’s what they all say!” He drove the car from his home down to The Market’s Abingdon headquarters. “On the way, I did think maybe I should be taking the other one.”

These early 3-Series (can you see what I did there?). Okay, perhaps that should be 300-series! Anyway, these early BMW cars saw the first appearance of the famous, or infamous for its current counterparts, Kidney grills. And what a charming overall design the 315 has.

It’s badged as a Frazer-Nash BMW on the nose, and you therefore get double the cachet, from two very well-respected names. The panel fit on this car is superlative, the upper body swage line lines up perfectly across each panel, with no sagging of the doors. The two-tone paint remains very smart with almost no blemishes and suits both the car’s lines and the interior colours perfectly.

Up top, the hood remains excellent. Body-coloured wheel trims complete a charming picture. Peter replaced two tyres just before the pandemic and says that all four have excellent tread remaining (as does the boot-mounted spare) and their respective tubes all hold their air. Brightwork too, is very smart.

Be in no doubt, this is an enchanting little car that looks even better in the flesh than it does in our photos and video.

This car scores very highly in the cabin department. It. Is. Glorious. Tan leather abounds and remains in almost perfect condition; the seats are supremely supportive and there’s room for four adults.

Door cards (also finished in matching leather) are mostly in similar condition and have handy storage pockets. However, there is a touch of damage to the driver’s side lower front corner, with a handful of holes where it’s caught the leading edge of the sill. We’d have this replaced to bring things back to the standard of the rest of the cabin. Biscuit coloured carpets (piped Brown) are the order of the day and suit the colour scheme perfectly, as does the body-coloured metal dashboard.

Gauges and electrics all function and the rear-view mirror has a touch of patina, but we’d leave it as is. The interior trim feels very high quality. With the hood up, the beige hood-lining ensures a light interior disposition and with it down the car is transformed.

“The hood is excellent and when you fold it back it’s covered by a hood bag and looks very neat and tidy. With glass side windows you don’t get blown about either when it’s down. It’s a nice car to drive in the sunshine.”

“On the road it keeps up with modern traffic very well,” says Peter. “The 6-cylinder engine is nice and smooth, with good acceleration and speed. It will go faster if pushed, but it’s at its best when cruising. The brakes are uprated Lockheed hydraulic ones (replacing the original cable operated brakes) and lend it excellent stopping power – it pulls up nice and straight. The 4-speed manual is good to use – it’s lovely.”

The BMW’s beautiful condition up top and inside is matched underneath, as well; it’s a very solid and well-protected picture. Chassis rails are straight and in rude health, with suspension and drive components also looking to be tip top. There are a couple of very minor bits of surface corrosion where the surface of the protective undercoating has been breached, but a wire brush and a top up is likely all that’s required – 30 minutes and a bit of elbow grease should do the trick.

Pop the engine panels and you’ll find the tiny 6-cylinder engine in clean and almost perfect visual condition. The wiring is nice and tidy, and you’d happily pop along to a show and exhibit it with pride.

Additional gauges have also been fitted discreetly under the dashboard so the pilot can keep an eye on water temperature and engine revs.

In the F-N BMW’s history file is a CD with a detailed photographic history of the car’s restoration. This shows it in various states of mechanical and bodily undress, partially painted and then having trim re-fitted. There are also other photos of lined up parts ready to be reunited with the car.

Accompanying these are detailed handwritten notes, listing every part fitted, how long it took and an exact description of what was done, during the car’s restoration. It really doesn’t get more comprehensive than this, so take your time and have a scan through our gallery.

You will also find a certificate from the BMW Historic Vehicle Register, which confirms the model, the engine and chassis numbers (both 68071), its first date of registration (1936) and original colour (Green).

A Vintage Sports-Car Club Eligibility document is present (issued 24 June 2004), as are a handful of invoices, a sheet listing the restoration paint codes (useful in future!), and some expired MOT test certificates.

Finally, the V5c document lists a total of 4 keepers since July 1978.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to an excellent standard.

What a glorious surviving example of BMW’s 315 Cabriolet. As the photos in the car’s history file and current condition both demonstrate, the restoration was carried out to the highest of standards. Peter’s cosseting custodianship has ensured that it remains in first class post-resto health and that has also received mechanical sympathy when necessary.

With a fresh engine fitted (and not many post-pandemic miles on it), uprated 12-volt electrics and Lockheed hydraulic brakes it’s a seriously smooth all-round operator.

We believe that this 315 Cabriolet could be unique and as such, think it’ll sell for somewhere between £30,000 and £35,000. When you consider that Peter paid £35k when he bought it (he won’t mind us saying that!), it remains excellent value for a pre-war German gem like this.

It’s fit, raring to go and ready for a new home.

Achtung baby.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.