Skip to content
THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet

1962Coachwork by Bertone

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1962
Body style
Cabriolet
Engine
V8
Type
One-off
Production
1
Displacement
3,168 cc
Power
160 hp
Top speed
200 km/h

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet is a remarkable one-off vehicle crafted in 1962 by the esteemed Italian coachbuilder Bertone. This unique car was created as a special gift for Herbert Quandt, a principal figure at BMW, whose strategic decisions were crucial in reviving the company’s fortunes. While the BMW 1500 signified a bold new direction for the brand, the 3200 CS Cabriolet was built on a more established foundation. It utilized the chassis from a model introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show a decade earlier. The 3200 CS Coupé, which served as the basis for this exclusive Cabriolet, was designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro during his tenure at Bertone. The Coupé itself was produced between January 1962 and September 1965, with production numbers varying according to different sources. The BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet features an exceptionally elegant and classic design, true to Giugiaro’s aesthetic principles. It is characterized by clean lines and a sophisticated appearance, with seating for four passengers. The car’s exterior is finished in a sleek silver paintjob, further enhancing its refined and timeless look. Built in Turin by Carrozzeria Bertone, the 3200 CS Cabriolet exemplifies the high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail for which Italian coachbuilders are renowned. This vehicle stands out not only for its exclusivity as a one-off model but also for its connection to significant figures in the automotive world and its embodiment of cross-continental automotive collaboration. The BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet remains a symbol of elegance and luxury, combining German engineering prowess with Italian design flair. It reflects a period when bespoke vehicles were crafted to the highest standards for discerning clients, and it continues to be celebrated for its aesthetic beauty and historical significance.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
One-off

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
V8
Displacement
3,168 cc
Power (hp)
160 hp
Power (kW)
119 kW
Engine speed
5,600 rpm
Torque
240 Nm
Transmission
4-speed manual
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Top speed
200 km/h
Specification notes
1962 BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet one-off baseline: V8 3168 cc, 160 hp / 119 kW at 5600 rpm, 240 Nm, 4-speed manual, RWD, wheelbase 2835 mm, dimensions 4850 × 1760 × 1460 mm, weight about 1600 kg, top speed about 200 km/h. Width uses the CI vehicle record because the specialist specification page contains an obvious width transcription error.

Dimensions & accommodation

Wheelbase
2,835 mm
Length
4,850 mm
Width
1,760 mm
Height
1,460 mm
Weight
1,600 kg

Design & manufacture

Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Bertone
Designer · Candidate
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Manufacturer · Documented
BMW

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
Carrozzieri Italiani — BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet www.carrozzieri-italiani.com Ci vehicle reference
1962 BMW 3200 CS Cabriolet specification www.ultimatecarpage.com Specialist one off reference

THE CONVERSATION

Comments 0

Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.

Join the conversation