In the case of German automakers, it hardly ever will get higher than BMW. Based in 1916, BMW has a protracted historical past of manufacturing high-quality vehicles that look nice, carry out exceptionally properly, and are sturdy sufficient to face the check of time. Through the years, lots of the traditional BMWs that have been as soon as thought-about abnormal have now change into extremely sought-after collector’s gadgets, with some fashions fetching astronomical costs at auctions and automobile exhibits.
On this article, we’ll check out a number of traditional BMWs that now value an arm and a leg. Proudly owning considered one of these fashions offers you an opportunity to carry on to a key piece of German automotive historical past, and when you take excellent care of them, you would promote them for a revenue sooner or later.
10/10 507 – $2 Million
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Within the ’50s, Mercedes-Benz surprised the world when it constructed the legendary 300SL Gullwing, because it was not solely probably the most lovely factor on 4 wheels but in addition the quickest automobile of its day. Not eager to be outshined by its fierce rival, BMW rapidly set to work and developed a worthy competitor – the 507.
The 507 debuted in 1956 and immediately impressed gearheads with its beautiful design that includes a protracted hood, curvaceous physique, and brief rear deck. Since solely 252 examples have been constructed, the 507 is without doubt one of the costliest German vehicles you should buy at auctions.
9/10 Isetta – $40,000
The Isetta is a small, Italian-designed microcar BMW constructed from 1955 to 1962. It was one of many first automobiles to be known as a “bubble automobile,” resulting from its egg-shaped look and single door that opened on the entrance.
The Isetta was designed as an inexpensive and environment friendly different to bigger vehicles and was powered by a small, 12-hp single-cylinder engine. Regardless of its small dimension, the Isetta was in a position to seat two folks and even had a small trunk within the again. In the present day, the Isetta is remembered as a unusual and revolutionary car and has change into a collector’s merchandise for fanatics.
8/10 M1 – $500,000
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Each prime automaker has a division that builds particular high-performance variations of their regular vehicles. For BMW, that’s the M Division, and it’s among the many oldest having been based in 1972. The primary automobile the M Division constructed – the M1 – rapidly confirmed everybody they meant enterprise.
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The M1 surprised gearheads with its horny wedge-shaped design penned by the famend Giorgetto Giugiaro and highly effective engine – a 3.5-liter six-cylinder making slightly below 300 hp. The M1 shouldn’t be a automobile you see daily, as solely 453 have been constructed.
7/10 2002 Turbo – $100,000
Earlier than the 3-Sequence debuted and adjusted BMW’s fortunes ceaselessly, the 2002 was the marque’s finest compact luxurious sedan. The 2002 had an incredible run from 1966 to 1977, however since many consumers complained about its poor efficiency, BMW set to work and constructed a turbocharged model.
The 2002 Turbo, because it was known as, was outfitted with a turbocharged model of the common 2002’s 2.0-liter inline-four engine making 170 hp, giving it nice efficiency. It additionally featured a number of distinctive design parts, together with a particular “turbo” badge on the rear of the automobile and a wider stance than the usual 2002.
6/10 503 – $250,000
As we talked about earlier, BMW was decided to outshine its rivals within the sports activities automobile market within the late ‘50s. In order a few of its staff have been engaged on the 507, others have been engaged on one more very good sports activities automobile – the 503. Launched in 1956, the 503 was a incredible luxurious grand tourer with a good looking design penned by Albrecht von Goertz, who additionally designed the 507 roadster.
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It was the primary post-World Warfare II BMW mannequin to be powered by a V8 engine and was meant to compete with different high-end luxurious vehicles of the time such because the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
5/10 3.0 CSL – $200,000
The three.0 CSL -also often called “Batmobile”- is a high-performance model of the BMW 3.0 CS designed to compete in racing. The three.0 CSL featured quite a few weight-saving measures and was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produced 203 hp.
The three.0 CSL grew to become considered one of BMW’s most profitable racing vehicles, successful quite a few touring automobile championships and competing in occasions such because the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It additionally gained a repute as a quick and succesful highway automobile, with its nimble dealing with and robust acceleration making it a preferred alternative for driving fanatics.
4/10 M3 E30 Sport Evolution – $190,000
The E30 M3 is an absolute icon within the auto trade because it helped set up BMW as a efficiency automobile producer. The E30 M3 is already fascinating for collectors, however there’s even a rarer and higher model that everybody goals of – the M3 E30 Sport Evolution.
The Sport Evolution was a high-performance model of the M3 E30 and featured a number of efficiency upgrades, together with a extra highly effective 2.5-liter inline-four engine shelling out 238 hp, wider wheels and tires, and a modified suspension. With solely 600 models produced, the Sport Evolution is extremely wanted by collectors.
3/10 Nazca C2 – $1.5 Million
Within the early ‘90s, BMW wished to hitch the fast-growing supercar market, so it developed an excellent idea automobile often called the Nazca C2. The Nazca C2 was developed in collaboration with the Italian design agency Italdesign, which was headed by the well-known Giorgetto Giugiaro on the time.
In true Giugiaro vogue, the Nazca C2 featured a glossy and futuristic design, with a low, wedge-shaped physique and a mid-engine structure. It was powered by a 5.0-liter V2 engine producing round 300 hp, permitting for a prime velocity of round 180 mph. Solely 3 prototypes have been ever constructed, and considered one of them bought at a Convey A Trailer public sale for slightly below $1 million.
2/10 328 Roadster – $700,000
The 328 is a pre-war period sports activities automobile that BMW constructed from 1936 to 1940. The 328 was obtainable as a roadster and was designed as a light-weight and agile sports activities automobile that includes a glossy and aerodynamic physique.
The 328 was powered by an 80-hp inline-six engine and had a prime velocity of round 90 mph. It was praised for its dealing with and efficiency and was utilized in varied motorsport occasions, together with the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A complete of 464 models of the 328 Roadster have been produced throughout its five-year manufacturing run.
1/10 M1 AHG Studie – $600,000
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If the aforementioned M1 shouldn’t be unique sufficient for you, we have now the proper automobile for you – the M1 AHG Studie. The M1 AHG Studie was constructed within the early ‘80s by German BMW vendor AHG. AHG wished to create particular variations of the M1 that appeared just like the mighty M1 Procars however have been completely street-legal.
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The M1 AHG Studie had a low, aggressive stance and was fitted with a novel physique package that included a big rear wing and entrance and rear spoilers. Gearheads consider solely round 10 M1 AHG Studie vehicles have been constructed, which is why it lately bought for greater than $600,000 at an RM Sotheby’s public sale.