To many BMW followers, the BMW Museum is the final word vacation spot. Situated in Munich and parked immediately reverse the BMW Welt, it showcases and contextualizes BMW merchandise all through the model’s historical past. Since 1973 – with a quick closure for renovations from 2004 till 2008 – the BMW Museum has dazzled thousands and thousands of holiday makers with a veritable historical past lesson of the model. In reality, greater than 5 million guests have come by way of the doorways simply since re-opening in 2008. Right here’s some historical past and background on the BMW Museum, with an compulsory take a look at a number of the constructing’s most prestigious residents.
1973 – 2004; Authentic BMW Museum
The primary BMW Museum – the enduring bowl-shaped constructing – was designed by Karl Schwanzer, a Viennese professor and architect. Schwanzer designed the power to be fully spherical, envisioning the continuation of the street in an enclosed house. What started as a couple of “souvenirs on show, however not on the market” in a single room on the Munich Plant in 1922 led to the plant’s personal official museum by 1966. Growing customer site visitors demanded a purpose-built house to accommodate the exhibitions, and on Might 18, 1973, the BMW Museum opened.
The BMW Museum As we speak
As talked about, the BMW Museum closed from 2004 till 2008 to develop and renovate. The unique BMW Museum is now known as the Museum Bowl – or, “the Bowl.” The 1,000-square-meter house now serves as a house for momentary displays. Elsewhere, guests are handled to over 4,000 sq. meters of everlasting exhibitions, comprising round 110 picks plucked from the corporate’s timeline. Guided excursions are supplied in German and English. Regardless of largely falling underneath the arm of the automaker’s BMW Basic division, the Museum even has its personal app.
One other replace accomplished in April 2024, modernizing the foyer and bringing what BMW calls a ‘futuristic’ really feel. New ticket machines had been launched, as had been welcoming additions like a wall of vegetation and a extra open-air theme. BMW hopes to ease worker workloads and enhance general accessibility with these additions. Exhibitions vary from celebrating 100 years of Motorrad to showcasing hydrogen energy and circularity. Whereas the displays rotate, there’s by no means a uninteresting second.
The Most Necessary BMWs in Historical past
By no means a uninteresting second, certainly. Right here’s one most will acknowledge: a Fireplace Orange E92 M3 GTS. Whereas it sadly by no means made it stateside, it’s essentially the most aggressive E92 M3 BMW supplied. Solely 150 made it by way of manufacturing. Energy elevated to 444 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque, positive aspects of 30 every. A roll cage, race seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and a fireplace extinguisher are simply a number of the added options.
Nearly as orange, nowhere close to as quick. Regardless of missing modern-day efficiency credentials, this 1968 2002 ti virtually invented the time period “sports activities coupe.” A rev-happy inline four-cylinder engine and just-right sizing put lots of the up to date American automobiles – and European opponents – to disgrace. In additional methods than one; the 2002 was a transparent winner in dynamics and gas financial system. It additionally had extra space and a way more snug cabin.
Perhaps a much less snug cabin, however who doesn’t love an Isetta? The microcar birthed from BMW’s monetary disaster of the Nineteen Fifties was truly an Italian design licensed by BMW. BMW tweaked some engine elements and badging and let it rip. The “motocoupe,” because it was marketed, was successful.
After which there’s this BMW 328. Produced from 1936 till 1940, it’s one in all a comparatively few pre-war autos. The coupe used an early straight-six engine growing round 80 horsepower, accelerating to speeds of as much as 93 mph. It was a category winner at Mille Miglia in 1938 and 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939.
Lastly, one thing for the Elvis followers on the market. One among many well-known 507 homeowners, that is the true Elvis automobile restored by BMW Basic professionals. A part of the Home of Expertise exhibit, the automobile was extensively restored and even repainted utilizing in-period strategies as a substitute of extra trendy approaches. This automobile was painstakingly and punctiliously introduced again to manufacturing facility specs. And we’re not simply saying that – a earlier proprietor had gone so far as ripping out the engine in favor of a Chevrolet big-block, a hilariously American resolution.
Peruse the remainder of the album, and also you’ll discover quirky rides just like the BMW Z1 and its beautiful descendant, the Z8, amongst many others. There’s even a deconstructed i3 and quite a lot of engines and bikes on show. Oh, and Nick Heidfeld’s racing swimsuit from the BMW Sauber days. Like we mentioned – by no means a uninteresting second. [Photos: Dan Levins @klapped.media]
