The Bavarian premium car manufacturer has built some of the most beautiful cars of all time. The company that started out building jet fighter planes during the Second World War prides itself on its aviation lineage and strives to build the ultimate performance machine.
BMW is responsible for some of the most capable race-ready cars the world’s ever seen, like the V8-powered BMW M3 GTR. The German automotive brand is also responsible for some of the most awe-aspiring designs in automotive history like the BMW 1600 GT convertible. Here are some more highly coveted classic BMW models that every Beemer enthusiast desires.
10 BMW 3.0 CSL
Originally dubbed as the "Batmobile", this classic BMW racer was produced in the '70s. It had a detachable steering wheel and was powered by a 3-liter twin-turbo straight-six engine.
To make it possible for people to buy 3.0 CSL legally, the wing was detached from the car and was stowed away in the boot which could be later attached to the rear end. It is not surprising that only 167 units of this model were ever produced and surviving examples cost millions of dollars.
9 BMW Z1 Roadster
Pioneer of the Z series and predecessor of BMW 507 BMW Z1 Roadster was produced during 1989-1991. The car was originally built at the BMW research center with the sole purpose to make BMW cool. Attractive plastic body panels and vertically sliding doors that disappear into the door sills were Z1 Roadster’s pièce de résistance.
Only 8000 units of this model were produced by the company and buyers could drive it with the doors slid down. Its 2.5L straight-six engine combined was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This 2-seater convertible even got a spot in Jackie Chan-starring Armour of God 2: Operation Condor.
8 BMW Garmisch
This classic beauty was designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone as a surprise show car for the Geneva Motor Show in 1970. It was coach-built by skilled craftsmen in Turin. What set this model apart was its vertical and almost angular radiator grille flanked by square glass-covered headlights.
Other unique features of this model were the honeycomb-patterned mesh cover that adorned the rear window. The vertical radio on the center console and a fold-out mirror for the passenger are some styling highlights of the interior.
7 BMW 507
As a successor to the BMW 328, the 507 was a model that many considered to be BMW’s most beautiful Grand Tourer. The BMW 507 was owned by celebrities that even included ‘The King’ Elvis Presley. It was powered by a 3168 cc V8 engine with a maximum power output of 138 BHP.
It was designed by a young German designer Albrecht Goertz and only 252 units of this model were ever produced. The exclusive Grand Tourer can only be found at some of the most elite auctions.
6 BMW 1M Coupé
A special final version of BMW 1Series was built back in 2011 and went on to become one of the greatest BMW M cars ever. The BMW 1M coupé was powered by a 340 BHP N54 twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder petrol engine and therefore it took less than 5 seconds to achieve the speed of 60 mph from a standstill.
The modern classic was built with many parts sourced from the E92 M3 and even received an M Performance steering wheel. Only 6331 units were produced of this modern-day classic and the production ended in June 2012 and the model continues to be celebrated by its cult fan following till this very day.
5 BMW E39 M5
Even today BMW E39 M5 is a badass sports sedan. The modern classic car was produced between 1998 and 2002 and was revered as the ultimate performance sedan of its time. The car was powered by a 4.9-liter straight-six V8 engine which produced a peak power output of 395 BHP.
Only 20,482 examples of BMW E39 M5 were produced and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5seconds. It was the very first time that BMW used components made of aluminum for the front suspension and E39 M5 also received a multi-link rear suspension.
4 BMW-GLAS 3000 V8 Fastback
BMW-GLAS 3000 V8 Fastback was the very first model that BMW built back in 1966 after acquiring German automaker Glas. BMW-GLAS 3000 featured the iconic kidney-shaped grille even though it was an all-new model, completely different from the previous models built by either BMW or Glas.
Only 277 units of BMW-GLAS 3000 were produced and were 25800cc V8 engine which was later upgraded to 3000cc V8. The car was equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and shared the same wheelbase as the Glas 1700 Sedan.
3 BMW E30
Enthusiasts have modified the BMW E30 into some exciting contraptions like a drift-ready monster powered by a Nissan RB25DET inline-six cylinder motor and an 870 BHP Hillclimb champion. In its original iteration, however, the E30 was the second generation E Series model and it was conceptualized by Claus Luthe, a German car designer.
It had four different body styles in sedan and convertible body types. With much of the bodywork made out of aluminum, the BMW E30 flaunts short overhangs and a long hood. This was the very first model in the 3 Series to have a six-cylinder engine.
2 BMW 2002
BMW 2002 was a 2-liter version of the 1602 sedan. This model accidentally came into existence when Alex Von Falkenhausen, designer of M10, and Helmut Werner Bonsch, BMW's product planning director, installed a 2-liter M10 engine in the 1602 sedan.
The company approved the production of this model and opened the doors for its sale in the US where 1602 couldn't be imported because of the emission regulations. This lead to the production of one of the coolest and the first-ever classic BMW turbocharged car- the 2002 Turbo. In 1973 this powerplant produced 170 bhp of power and 180lb-ft of peak torque.
1 BMW Isetta
Just last month, the Bavarian car manufacturer celebrated 65 years of this beautiful BMW bubble car. The BMW Isetta was developed by Iso, an Italian company which explains its timeless design. The company made refrigerators and scooters and later sold the rights of Isetta to BMW.
At that time drivers in Germany were allowed to drive small cars with a motorcycle license which is why Bavarian Motor works brought the rights to Isetta. The car was powered by a 13 BHP 300cc engine and weighed 770 lbs.