September 2026;
BMW’s pre-war competition heritage was very much on display at Rally the Globe’s inaugural Vintage El Clavel, with Frazer Nash-BMW 328s taking the top two places overall after six demanding days across northern Spain.
The event brought together 32 pre-war cars for around 1,000 miles of spectacular driving, incorporating regularity sections and speed tests through the mountains, historic towns and coastal landscapes of north-western Spain.
At the centre of the action were the BMW-powered machines. Gavin and Diana Henderson claimed overall victory in their 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328, finishing ahead of Peter Kite and Pete Johnson in their 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328.
The result was particularly fitting for the Hendersons’ car, which has an impressive competition history stretching back to victory in the 1939 RAC Rally.
BMW representation extended further down the field. Irvine Laidlaw and Annabel Jones’ 1935 BMW 319 led the rally during the event before eventually finishing fifth, while a 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 327/80 driven by Steve and Jenny Verrall finished sixth.
The final top six therefore included four BMW or Frazer Nash-BMW cars, underlining just how competitive these machines remain almost 90 years after they were built.
Top Six
- Gavin & Diana Henderson – 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328
- Peter Kite & Pete Johnson – 1937 Frazer Nash-BMW 328
- Andrew Boland & Mark Bramall – 1934 Talbot AV105
- Nigel & Sally Woof – 1930 Talbot AO75/90
- Irvine Laidlaw & Annabel Jones – 1935 BMW 319
- Steve & Jenny Verrall – 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 327/80
For BMW enthusiasts, the standout result was unquestionably the 328 one-two finish. Nearly nine decades after these cars were built, two examples were still capable of leading a highly competitive international vintage rally from the front — a remarkable reminder of the engineering and motorsport pedigree behind the BMW 328.
With thanks to; https://rallytheglobe.com/rallies/vintage-el-clavel-2026/
