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During World War I, BMW
aircraft engines founded a tradition of
excellence and reliability. It was Baron
von Richthofen, the "Red Baron", who praised
the BMW engines that powered the legendary
Fokker Triplane of 1917. In 1919 an aircraft
fitted with a BMW engine gained the world
altitude record. Later, BMW engines powered
Dornier flying boats which flew all over
the world.
It was in 1923 that BMW
built its first motorcycle, and in 1928
its first motor car, a version of the Austin
Seven built under licence.
In the early thirties,
BMW developed a light 6 cylinder engine
which powered the classic 328 sports cars.
These cars dominated their class in the
European sporting arena and claimed the
record as the first 2 litre production car
to average 100 miles in the hour.
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