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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 8 photographs
Show 2 more photographs Show fewer photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source 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 |













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