Hans Glas GmbH company history - From 1962 on GLAS rolled out new and larger cars in quick succession

From 1962 on GLAS rolled out new and larger cars in quick succession. An advanced and sporty four-cylinder inline engine with belt-driven overhead camshaft powered as a 1000, 1200 or 1300 cc variant small sedans, coupes, convertibles and estate cars in 16 versions. The hatch back wagon was a modern car body concept, which was later revived among others in the BMW Touring of the 02 series. Impressive performance and an attractive appearance distinguished the model family of type 1004, 1204 and 1304.

For the next models in the middle class range and for a sports car the search for a design house of international fame began. The final choice fell upon the Pietro Frua company in Turin, which could name among others Maserati to its clientele. At the IAA in Frankfurt, GLAS presented its first large car, the Type 1700 with a four-door Frua designed body and also an attractive sports coupe wearing a dress from the same tailor, Type 1300 GT. Both cars went into production in 1964 and the sports car was soon also offered with a stronger 1700 cc motor.

But that was not enough. Inspired by the good cooperation with the Italians the aim was now the luxury class and Glas designed a V8 engine with 2.6 liters for an exclusive sports coupe. The prototype of this GLAS 2600 V8 was first introduced at the 1965 IAA. The public quickly named this race-bred car "Glaserati." For all the euphoria, GLAS ignored however that profitable manufacturing for such a wide range of quality cars was only possible through significant investments in production facilities and just that, the family owned company was not able to do.

Once the banks did not come through for the needed financing, Hans Glas turned in October 1965 to the state government in Munich. A analysis showed quickly that the Hans Glas GmbH in comparison to other, more modern car factories, operated uneconomical. Too much manual labor was still used, because the idiosyncratic senior, who still recorded all financial transactions of the company meticulously in a small booklet, which he always carried with him, had always difficulties when it came to purchases of new production equipment. A loan from the Free State of Bavaria initially helped, but the search for a strong partner was vital to the survival of the Hans Glas company - they simply had operated over their head.

Again, through urgent negotiation and with the help of the Bavarian state government, BMW finally agreed to rescue GLAS in 1966. On September 27, 1966, the contract was signed in the office of the then BMW president Gerhard Wilcke. Thousands of jobs were saved in the lower Bavarian region of Dingolfing and Pilsting. Initially it was feared by GLAS, that BMW would close the plant, but it turned out to be different.
Under the direction of BMW the car production program was tightened up. The sports cars 1300 GT and 1700 GT became now a BMW 1600 GT with a BMW designed drive train. The GLAS 2600 V8 got a three-liter engine and was now called the BMW-GLAS 3000 V8. Some of the small cars, including the still very popular Goggomobil, the folks from Munich continue building as long as orders came in and parts were available. Meticulously attention however was paid that the paltry Goggomobil never would be associated with the BMW name or logo. Furthermore, the GLAS 1700 sedan celebrated in the BMW plant in South Africa with BMW mechanicals a new existence.

In the course of 1967 BMW phased out gradually all GLAS models. With one exception: The Goggomobil had still so many friends that the last example rolled of the production line in June 25th, 1969. A little later the senior boss Hans Glas died at the age of 79. He was not spared to see that the last car that bore his trademark and his life's work would be discontinued. He, the dyed-in-the-wool Bavarian, credited with countless anecdotes, who always spoke what was on his mind, admired and feared as an entrepreneur of the old school, because of his spontaneity, immediacy and energy, wrote an important chapter of German automobile history.

On the grounds of the former GLAS factory in Dingolfing, BMW built in the following years a modern car plant were the new BMW 5 series is produced, which to this day provides the economic backbone throughout the region.