This sportscar bore the full title of BMW 3/15 PS Wartburg Sport, and brought together within its small confines all the attributes of what was by contemporary standards a pretty racy model. The cowling in front of the inclined windscreen had been extended to approximately mid-way between the spoked wheels, and the lightweight body ended in what was then a highly fashionable pointed rear. For lack of doors, the first BMW roadster drivers had to swing themselves over low door cutouts, and by today's standards the cockpit was very cramped. There was barely room to move one's shoulders, and the mighty wooden steering wheel came right up to the driver's chest. In the event of wet weather, those of a more sensitive constitution could unfurl a thin cover above their heads, while the sides of the roadster remained open so that hand signals could be given without encumbrance. Indicators were a much later invention.

The Berlin Motor Show in the spring of 1934 provided the backdrop for the proud presentation of the new BMW 315/1 Roadster. To the saloon technology so eminently suited to a model of this kind, the Munich stylists had added a strikingly attractive two-seater body. The kidney-shaped grille, first used on the 315 and 319 models, had been given a dynamic tilt and now merged into a long bonnet that led to a sporty-looking folding windscreen. Deep cutaway doors and swooping mudguards lent the low-slung roadster an even racier appearance, with elegantly spatted rear wheels adding a further aerodynamic touch. The dashboard with its whitefaced dials was outrangeously stylish, and the perfectly comfortable single seats provided ample room for two people.

These striking looks naturally raised expectations on the performance front, which BMW would not disappoint. With a significantly increased compression ratio of 6.8:1 as compared with the saloon's 5.6:1, and triple rather than twin carburettors, the 1.5-litre six-cylinder engine inside the 315/1 Roadster delivered 40 bhp, which was sufficient to lend the less than 800 kg sportscar an impressive pace. This small and lovingly constructed roadster managed a top speed of 120 km/t (75 mph) and ranked as one of the more serious sportscars of its class.

Not surprisingly, the new BMW roadster quickly made its mark on the racetrack. Already in 1934 there was a team victory in the German Alpine Trial, among other wins, and from 1935 onwards the BMW 315/1 was to dominate the 1.5-litre class in an impressive manner. Many a more powerful car was left trailing by this nimble roadster. Moreover, there was hardly any competition for the BMW 315/1 to fear. Only Adler had a comparable model in its range, namely the Trumpf Junior. To find genuine rivals one had to look to England and companies such as MG.