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Topic starter
03/01/2024 4:41 pm
Dear friends! I'd like to offer you new topic to discuss about very interesting historical episode.
It's wonderful that that many collectors are interested in models of BMW. So, I think we'll able to discuss about this brand in East Germany.
After WW2 Germany was separated into two parts- democratic West and communistic East. The main production line of BMW was situates in Eisenach which became a part of East. In 1946 they restarted car's production. There were pre- war models 321 and 326. By 1948 was created new model 340. It was founded on BMW 326 and Hans Fleishner made new design of front and end parts. It became the first car of new statement DDR ( Deutche Democratic Republic) founded in october of 1949.
In the west Germany was only plant in Munich, where the motorcycles were producing. But by 1951 they managed to make new car- BMW-501, called Barocco Angel.
Both cars- 340 and 501 named BMW, and it was strange situation. So, in 1951 the international court made up a decision that Eisenach had no rights for BMW brand.
That's why communists had to change BMW to EMW, where the first symbol ment Eisenash and blue colour on the badge changed into red.
And now some photoes of a real car from last year exhibition.
03/01/2024 5:04 pm
Great stuff, important history. 👍
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
Christopher Moroni and Fred Eliseeff reacted
03/01/2024 8:08 pm
Very interesting! Great post.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Fred Eliseeff and Christopher Moroni reacted
03/01/2024 8:24 pm
Fred, thank you for this very interesting post and images. I learned something new today.
Topic starter
04/01/2024 2:14 pm
BMW/EMW-340 was producing from 1949 to 1955. These cars were used by DDR members of government and were exported in some countries.
The most of cars were exported into the Soviet Unoin for reparations.
In the mid of 1950s communistical power decided to refuse of building luxury cars. Though Eisenach plant began produce new model range Wartburg in 1956.
John Kuvakas and David Green reacted
Topic starter
04/01/2024 2:24 pm
There was a huge model range of BMW/EMW-340: limousine, ambulance, estate and wooden van. There was even a special sport roadster which was only one built.
As to models, wonderful model range was made in 1/43 scale by PCT ( brands IST, Atlaya, De Agostini) Another manufacturer was ADP Modelle from Germany, which made artisan resin model. It's very rare.
And now I'd like to show you EMW-340/2 Limousine by IST models.
Topic starter
06/01/2024 2:26 pm
EMW-340 Limousine was also used as a taxi. IST made a model of taxi version. It has cheaper saloon and other types of wheels without chrom hubcaps.
There is a good view on white and red EMW badge on the wheels.
David Green and John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
12/01/2024 2:09 pm
And now it's time to continue this topic and to learn new facts in the history of EMW.
There were different variations of 340 range. So except limousine was introduced estate variant. This model was producing only 2 years, from 1953 to 1955.
They weren't assembling on the main production line in Eisenach. Most of bodies were made using hand work.
IST by PCT corporation made the model of 1953 EMW-340 Estate. You can also see this diecast tool in different partworks.
