BMW 700 Sedan

The BMW 700 Sedan emerged in 1959 as a breath of fresh air, a pint-sized savior that single-handedly pulled BMW from the brink of financial ruin. Born from desperation and ingenuity, this compact rear-engined marvel combined Italian styling finesse—courtesy of Giovanni Michelotti—with pragmatic German engineering. It was the automotive equivalent of espresso: small, potent, and undeniably charming.

Underneath its modest exterior, the 700 Sedan packed a surprisingly spirited punch. Its air-cooled, two-cylinder boxer engine—borrowed and refined from BMW's motorcycle division—delivered just enough zest to keep drivers grinning through twisty backroads. The car's lightweight construction and rear-engine layout provided nimble handling, making it an unexpected joy to pilot, especially given its humble origins.

Beyond mere survival, the 700 quickly etched itself into motorsport lore. Its racing variants dominated hill climbs and touring car events throughout the early '60s, proving that even modest machinery could achieve greatness. More importantly, the 700's success laid the groundwork for BMW's resurgence, paving the way for legendary models like the Neue Klasse sedans and the iconic 2002.