Summary of the Article
- BMW's hidden repository holds various vehicles, including Spartanburg's inaugural production car and the breathtaking ALPINA Roadster.
- The assortment includes a 1959 503 coupe designed by Bertone, equipped with a V8 engine, marking it as the collection's oldest vehicle.
- A significant oddity is the low-mileage M3 E36 Lightweight.
Considering BMW's rich history, it's expected that some fascinating vehicles are kept away in a secret place. The Petersen Automotive Museum recently acquired exclusive insight into these rare treasures, with BMW Group Classic USA Director Thomas Plucinsky guiding a tour of cars seldom seen by the public.
The assortment boasts several Z models, including a unique Z3 coated in British Racing Green, featuring BBS wheels and a tan top, which has remained part of the collection since its beginning with fewer than 1,000 miles driven. It shares the space with a late-production M Coupe known as the “Clownshoe.” The Z range also includes multiple ALPINA variants from the Z4 and Z8 series.
Although a 3 Series in 318i configuration might appear ordinary, the E36 featured in the video holds historical importance as the very first BMW crafted at the Spartanburg facility. Furthermore, the five-millionth and six-millionth units produced there are showcased: a Tornado Red X5 M and a Java Green X6 M, respectively.
BMW Group Classic Accommodates an Eclectic Car Collection
The oldest car in the collection is a 1953 503 Coupe with a V8 engine. Other remarkable historic models consist of the stunning 3.0 CSL (E9), the iconic M3 (E30), the unique M3 Lightweight (E36), and the final handcrafted M5 (E34). The collection also includes BMW’s sole production V10, located in the E60 M5, which pairs a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, available exclusively in North America.
Among the more distinctive automobiles is a singular Z3 Coupe design study that preceded a racing car at the Nürburgring, noted for its half doors and sparse interior. Additionally, the warehouse houses genuine race vehicles, including GTP and Formula 2 cars, alongside a championship-winning E34 M5 piloted by David Donohue in the IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship.
An intriguing addition is the BMW ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe built for electric vehicle experiments. About 500 units underwent testing before the i3 was launched in 2013 as BMW’s first production electric vehicle. Significantly, a late-production i3s can be found exhibited alongside the lesser-known ActiveE.
Additional surprises are in store, as the Petersen Automotive Museum intends to unveil a second episode next week, which may highlight other extraordinary vehicles such as the M1.
Summary of the Article
- BMW’s hidden repository holds various vehicles, including Spartanburg’s inaugural production car and the breathtaking ALPINA Roadster.
- The assortment includes a 1959 503 coupe designed by Bertone, equipped with a V8 engine, marking it as the collection’s oldest vehicle.
- A significant oddity is the low-mileage M3 E36 Lightweight.
Considering BMW’s rich history, it’s expected that some fascinating vehicles are kept away in a secret place. The Petersen Automotive Museum recently acquired exclusive insight into these rare treasures, with BMW Group Classic USA Director Thomas Plucinsky guiding a tour of cars seldom seen by the public.
The assortment boasts several Z models, including a unique Z3 coated in British Racing Green, featuring BBS wheels and a tan top, which has remained part of the collection since its beginning with fewer than 1,000 miles driven. It shares the space with a late-production M Coupe known as the “Clownshoe.” The Z range also includes multiple ALPINA variants from the Z4 and Z8 series.
Although a 3 Series in 318i configuration might appear ordinary, the E36 featured in the video holds historical importance as the very first BMW crafted at the Spartanburg facility. Furthermore, the five-millionth and six-millionth units produced there are showcased: a Tornado Red X5 M and a Java Green X6 M, respectively.
BMW Group Classic Accommodates an Eclectic Car Collection
The oldest car in the collection is a 1953 503 Coupe with a V8 engine. Other remarkable historic models consist of the stunning 3.0 CSL (E9), the iconic M3 (E30), the unique M3 Lightweight (E36), and the final handcrafted M5 (E34). The collection also includes BMW’s sole production V10, located in the E60 M5, which pairs a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, available exclusively in North America.
Among the more distinctive automobiles is a singular Z3 Coupe design study that preceded a racing car at the Nürburgring, noted for its half doors and sparse interior. Additionally, the warehouse houses genuine race vehicles, including GTP and Formula 2 cars, alongside a championship-winning E34 M5 piloted by David Donohue in the IMSA Bridgestone Supercar Championship.
An intriguing addition is the BMW ActiveE, a modified 1 Series Coupe built for electric vehicle experiments. About 500 units underwent testing before the i3 was launched in 2013 as BMW’s first production electric vehicle. Significantly, a late-production i3s can be found exhibited alongside the lesser-known ActiveE.
Additional surprises are in store, as the Petersen Automotive Museum intends to unveil a second episode next week, which may highlight other extraordinary vehicles such as the M1.
