BMW 321 1938–1941 car dimensions: 4500 mm long, 1670 mm wide and 1500 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,000 kg.
The cabin seats four, with front seats adjustable over 25 cm of travel and a rear bench that reclines slightly and includes built-in side armrests. Wide doors with large pockets and fully wind-down windows ease entry. Dashboard equipment includes a speedometer with odometer, coolant temperature gauge with warning light, fuel and oil pressure gauges with stepped lighting, ashtray, cigarette lighter, lockable glovebox, rear-view mirror and interior lamp. Ventilation uses flaps ahead of the windscreen that duct air across the glass to reduce fogging. a driver-controlled curtain covers the rear window at night. Semaphores serve as turn signals.
Boot space is small and reached only by removing the lower rear cushion then folding the hinged seat back forward. Wooden rails inside allow suitcases to slide in.
The cabin sits high over the box-section ladder frame, with elevated seats and a tall split windshield that gives a clear view down the tapering bonnet. Rear vision is limited by small split rear windows. A large triple-spoke steering wheel dominates the simple dash with basic gauges. Back-seat legroom is adequate for four adults. The ride feels smooth from the rigid chassis and tuned suspension.
50-litre petrol fuel tank
Mixed fuel use around 11-13 l/100 km
Four-wheel hydraulic self-adjusting drum brakes
Cable handbrake acting on rear wheels
Foot-operated one-shot central chassis lubrication system
Rack-and-pinion steering
The 1971 cc inline-six runs on petrol from a 50-litre rear tank. Published consumption figures sit near 11 l/100 km mixed or 13 l/100 km overall, with higher city use and lower on open roads.
A foot-operated central lubrication system feeds multiple chassis points in one shot. No fixed service intervals appear in period specifications. routine care follows the engine, gearbox and brake needs of the era.
Safety equipment centres on four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes that self-adjust, plus a cable-operated rear handbrake. Steering is rack-and-pinion. No crash-test ratings exist for the model.
Living with the car means accepting its pre-war mechanical simplicity. Specialist parts remain available in Europe and the solid frame plus torsion-bar rear help keep the car usable with regular attention.
Length 4500 mm, Width 1670 mm, Height 1500 mm, Wheelbase 2750 mm (321 1938–1941)
Sources: manufacturer data, BMW Group Classic, German Wikipedia and Auta5P/carbaze/UltimateSpecs, Autogallery.org.ru.