http://www.bmwcca.org/node/5749
ZF making 55 new 328 gearboxes for BMW Classic Posted On Apr. 23, 2013
The BMW 328 roadster is arguably the most beautiful—land is certainly the most successful—competition car the company ever built. The engine was still in production in the Bristol 406 as late as 1961.
However, since the original 328s were built between 1936 and 1940, the car is a rarity these days, and finding parts for such an old model can be difficult. That's why BMW Group Classic collaborated with automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG to create a perfect 328 gearbox replica.
The collaboration with ZF was an obvious solution. The original gearbox was built by Hurth, and ZF took over one of the company's divisions back in the 1990s. ZF had access to essential documents needed to create the replica.
Together, the 2 companies tackled one of the most complex projects to date in the field of component remanufacturing for classic BMW automobiles. The original gearbox had non-synchronized first and second gears, while gears three and four had cone synchronization. Recreating such a rare original setup was definitely hard to do.
Over the years, the original box underwent a series of alterations, so a number of variants and construction plans had to be analyzed and compared in order to come up with the best solution. The end result features some new details like using superior materials and a reinforced bearing for the second gear. Even so, the replica will fit perfectly on the original 328.
Over the entire process, BMW and ZF received valuable information from the International Automobile Federation and FIVA (the international body representing classic vehicle clubs) and both organizations recognized the authenticity of the end-result. The sanction of these institutions was important, in order to gain entry to official events.
The first prototypes of the gearbox replica already proved their reliability in the 2012 Mille Miglia, the world's best-known classic car race. Only 55 units of this component will be produced and they are now available through the BMW Classic Center. Price is reported as $32,000, but since Coys sold a 328 for $795,221 in London in December 2012, it almost seems like a bargain, doesn't it? They certainly won't get any cheaper.
