Learn me BMW 700 RS

While touring the BCCA I noticed this on a mural.

I asked and the lady wasn't sure but then we found this on one of their collections posters. 

It looks cool. Also like something I couldn't afford. Any history on them from the hive?

Very rare - based on the BMW 700 coupe I believe, back when BMW "made cars for day labourers and upper management". Basically aircooled, rear engined car using an engine derived from the motorcycle boxer motor. Can't remember if they were mainly built for hill climbs (which were super popular in Germany back then, or also for circuit racing.

The BMW 700 was the replacement for the Isetta 300 and the stretched 600, the original Isetta being a licensed version of an ISO Isetta (Italian, also happened to make refrigerators, can you see the resemblance? lol). Think Steve Urkel car from Family Matters.

You could buy them as little coupes, saloon and cabriolets. They were rear engined and used basically a bored out motorcycle engines from the time (Boxer, flat twin). The 700 RS was a purpose built race car based on the 700 (the coupes were also raced) and used in road racing and hill climbs.

I don't think you can afford one (I'm sure they are cheaper, rarer and more easy to run than a Porsche 550 though) but one of the street versions might be attainable as a basket case. I remember a 700 Saloon rusty project popping up on Bring a Trailer the other year on Vancouver Island and commenting that I'd love to have it. That vintage of BMW is a big undertaking to restore though compared to the cars that followed (New Klasses and stuff like the 2002).

Cool. Thanks guys.