BMW ART CAR PROJECT (HOMAGE 2024)

THE BMW ART CARS PROJECT

The BMW Art Cars project began in 1975, transforming BMW models into art by renowned artists like Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and David Hockney. These iconic artists used the cars as canvases, blending art and technology, creating mobile masterpieces that showcase both artistic vision and automotive design. Cars are primarily held and displayed at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany. However, they are occasionally loaned out for special exhibitions and events at museums and galleries around the world. Some of these cars have also been displayed at prestigious art and car shows, such as Art Basel and major international auto shows. The collection is treated as a blend of both art and automotive history.

Alexander Calder / BMW 3.0 CSL / 1975
Frank Stella / BMW 3.0 CSL / 1976
Roy Lichtenstein / BMW 320i Turbo / 1977
Andy Warhol / BMW M1 / 1979
Ernst Fuchs / BMW 635 CSi / 1982
Robert Rauschenberg / BMW 635 CSi / 1986
Michael Jagamara Nelson / BMW M3 Group A / 1989
Ken Done / BMW M3 Group A / 1989
Matazo Kayama / BMW 535i / 1990
César Manrique / BMW 730i / 1990
A.R. Penck / BMW Z1 / 1991
Esther Mahlangu / BMW 525i / 1991
Sandro Chia / BMW M3 GTR / 1992
David Hockney / BMW 850 CSi / 1995
Jenny Holzer / BMW V12 LMR / 1999
Ólafur Elíasson / BMW H2R / 2007
Jeff Koons / BMW M3 GT2 / 2010
Cao Fei / BMW M6 GT3 / 2017
John Baldessari / BMW M6 GTLM / 2016
Julie Mehretu / BMW M Hybrid V8 / 2024

DONOR CAR

The donor car, finished in Calypso Red Metallic for the project is a 1991 850i for US Market. It is a family-owned 12 cylinder version of the 8 series which was hailed as a halo car for BMW at that time. The car has 71k original miles and is in almost perfect visual condition. It has the rare “throwing star” original wheels is 100% original, including the BMW branded car phone. Unfortunately, the engine experienced an unplanned disassembly leaking coolant into the oil. The repair complexity, part availability , and cost for this particularly rare edition of the car makes it impractical and a great candidate for a BMW CAR ART Project. Only 3,347 of these cars were made for the United States market.