Glas GT History
History
The Glas GT was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963 and entered production in March 1964. Its svelte body was designed by Pietro Frua and the shells were fabricated by Carrozzeria Maggiora in Moncalieri, Italy, before being shipped to Dingolfing for final assembly. The 1300 GT used a 1,290 cc OHC engine producing 75 PS initially, raised to 85 PS in September 1965 along with larger wheels; top speed was 170–175 km/h.
The 1700 GT arrived in May 1965 using the 1,682 cc engine from the new Glas 1700 TS sedan, producing 100 PS and achieving a 185 km/h top speed. A rare open convertible joined the 1300 GT range in May 1965; only 362 convertibles were built across the entire GT run. Production of both GT variants ended in September 1967 after BMW took control — BMW rebadged a modified version as the BMW 1600 GT and sold it through 1968.
Total GT production across all variants reached 5,378 cars, making them significant rarities today. The combination of the Frua body, the pioneering cam-belt engine, and the GT's performance compared favourably with more expensive contemporaries; its relative obscurity now makes it a collectable outlier from Bavarian automotive history.
Body styles
- Coupé
- Convertible
Notable special editions & performance variants
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Convertible
Open-top variant of the 1300 GT; only 362 built across the entire GT production run.
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BMW 1600 GT
Post-acquisition rebadge by BMW: Frua body retained, fitted with BMW engine and rear axle; sold as a transitional model while Dingolfing retooled.
Related models