For years, BMW resisted the thought of a station wagon. The corporate had constructed its fame on sporty sedans and coupes, believing that wagons have been too utilitarian and out of sync with the model’s picture. However within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, one man modified that—not via company technique or market analysis, however by constructing one himself.
That man was Max Reisböck, a BMW prototype engineer who, in 1984, discovered himself in want of an even bigger automobile. With a rising household and two younger youngsters, his beloved E30 3 Sequence sedan now not had the area for household holidays. He wanted one thing extra sensible however refused to sacrifice the driving dynamics that made a BMW a BMW. The issue was that BMW had no plans to make a Touring mannequin. So, Reisböck determined to take issues into his personal fingers.
A Downside That Wanted Fixing
On the time, BMW’s 3 Sequence lineup consisted of two- and four-door sedans, coupes, and convertibles. There was no station wagon, and executives noticed no cause to construct one. However Reisböck, considering forward to lengthy highway journeys full of bicycles, tricycles, and baggage, knew he wanted a automobile that didn’t exist.
His resolution? Construct one himself.
With none official backing, he purchased a wrecked E30 323i sedan and moved it right into a good friend’s storage. He had no blueprints and no manufacturing facility assist—simply his engineering experience and an concept in his head. Over the following six months, he meticulously reworked the sedan right into a wagon, shifting the C-pillars again to increase the roofline and fabricating a rear hatch utilizing present BMW physique panels. He trimmed the rear aspect home windows from an E30 coupe to suit, making certain the automobile appeared as if it had been designed by BMW itself.
Certainly one of his greatest challenges was discovering an appropriate rear windscreen. As a result of laws required licensed glass, he couldn’t simply fabricate one himself. After weeks of looking, he discovered that the Volkswagen Passat had a rear window that was the right match, fixing one of many ultimate design hurdles.
By the point he completed, Reisböck had created a completely practical and factory-quality station wagon—one which appeared so polished that even BMW engineers assumed it was an official prototype.
BMW Takes Discover
Whereas Reisböck’s Touring was initially constructed for private use, it rapidly grew to become the topic of curiosity at BMW headquarters. His contract strictly prohibited him from constructing unauthorized automobiles, so earlier than placing it on the highway, he determined to point out it to BMW’s administration.
Their response was rapid. Executives have been shocked by how well-executed the automobile was. Phrase rapidly unfold, and the following morning, senior board members arrived to see the home made Touring for themselves. Inside hours, BMW decided: they have been holding the automobile.
Reisböck’s Touring was taken to BMW’s analysis and improvement division for additional analysis. What had began as a private venture was now an official BMW prototype—and it was about to vary the corporate’s future.
From One-Off Venture to Manufacturing Mannequin
Recognizing the potential of Reisböck’s creation, BMW’s board moved rapidly. With a full-scale working mannequin already in entrance of them, improvement progressed a lot quicker than a typical new mannequin.
The manufacturing E30 3 Sequence Touring debuted in 1987, simply three years after Reisböck accomplished his prototype. Surprisingly, BMW stored the design virtually similar to his unique automobile. The one important modification was an prolonged tailgate that reached almost to the rear bumper, making it simpler to load and unload cargo.
When the three Sequence Touring lastly hit the market, it proved that BMW had underestimated the demand for a sporty, premium station wagon. Over 104,000 items of the E30 Touring have been constructed between 1987 and 1993, making it one among BMW’s most profitable area of interest fashions of the period. Whereas it was by no means formally bought in the USA, the E30 Touring grew to become a favourite in Europe, influencing each BMW wagon that adopted.
Reisböck continued working for BMW till 2008, main the prototype engineering staff answerable for each BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce earlier than manufacturing.
