BMW Glas 1800 GL Kombi

The BMW 1800 TL Kombi was a prototype estate car designed by Pietro Frua in 1968 on the basis of the former Glas 1700 saloon. The project was developed after BMW’s takeover of Glas and was connected with the planned continuation of the Glas-based saloon in South Africa. Frua had already worked extensively with Glas and was interested in receiving further commissions after the company came under BMW control. He began studying an estate version of the Glas 1700, probably while Glas was still active as an independent manufacturer. The project became more concrete when future production of the Glas saloon in South Africa was being considered. Frua presented BMW with several proposals for a station wagon body. In a BMW document dated 1 December 1967, the project was described as an “1800 Caravan right-hand drive in CKD form”. On a technical drawing, the model carried the designation 1800 TL. A further meeting took place in Munich on 29 November 1967, during which several changes were requested. Frua was expected to submit the final design on 7 December, with delivery of the prototype planned for 30 March 1968. To reduce development and production costs, BMW wanted to retain as many saloon components as possible. This included the rear side panels and rear body structure, which limited the practical load opening and kept the loading sill relatively high. The third side window was planned as an opening element, while the fuel tank, located above the rear axle on the saloon, had to be moved to the side. The roof extension was to remain short and include a visible step. A complete right-hand-drive 1800 GL was prepared in Dingolfing for Frua’s conversion. After completion in spring 1968, the prototype was sent to Munich, as the Dingolfing development department had meanwhile been closed. BMW’s engineering resources were then concentrated on the E3 2500/2800 saloon, and further development of the Kombi was not pursued. Cooperation with Baur was considered, but by 1969 the project had been abandoned. No production tooling was made, and the prototype was never sent to South Africa. The BMW 1800 TL Kombi prototype is now considered lost.