Grand Designs

Left-field but discreetly influential German economy car

Under the skin of the influential German Glas 04 series.

With a fifth of the 21st century now behind us it’s likely that, for many, mention of the Glas 1004, 1204 or 1304 – or even sight of a picture of one – will ring no bells. And that’s quite ironic as both this series and its manufacturer have played key roles in today’s automotive culture.

To begin with, almost all of today’s cars have overhead camshafts driven by toothed rubber belts. The 1004 was the first production car so equipped – and at a time when a cam-in-block pushrod layout would remain the default solution in everyday cars for many years.

Then there’s BMW’S worldwide dominance, in which Hans Glas Gmbh played a key role. The family business, formed in 1883 as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, was based from 1908 in Dingolfing, Bavaria, the German state that is also home to BMW. When the Glas company’s ambitious move upmarket, of which the 1004 was an early step, proved financially unsustainable, local government support was conditional upon BMW taking control in 1967.

Several Glas models continued in production with BMW badges after the takeover, including the impressive Fruadesigned Glas V8, which had two cambelts. Other models acquired the new management’s engines and rear suspension. But it was Glas’s extensive knowledge-base and its factory site that so significantly improved BMW’S future prospects. The well-engineered, innovative and individual Glas 04 series cars were a significant chapter in this continuing story.