The BMW 327 was based on the BMW 326. The BMW 327 was a sporty, elegant convertible that was available from 1937, rather than a more comfortable touring sedan. Compared to the BMW 326, the engine had a slightly higher compression ratio (6.3:1 instead of 6.0:1) and delivered an output of 55 hp. The fully synchronised ZF or Freilauf-Hurth transmissions were installed on request and they had a slightly higher gear ratio in the first three gears. By 1941, 1,124 BMW 327 sports convertibles had been manufactured in Eisenach. A further 17 units were built under Soviet management (Awtovelo) between 1948 and 1950.