11 May 2020

This time round, Dr Andreas Braun, Curator of the BMW Museum, has stepped up to the plate in the weekly Inside BMW Group Classic clip showcasing special aspects of the company’s historic collections. Two highlights were featured this week. The collection of rear type plates for all the cars that were ever produced at BMW has been brought together to create a masterpiece artwork. And then there is the truly unique story of coachbuilder Max Reisböck, who “invented” a type of vehicle on his own initiative working in his garage at home. Reisböck wanted to have more space for luggage when he went on holiday with his family. He set to work and soon converted his second-generation BMW 3 Series saloon into the prototype of a completely new model version. Ultimately, Reisböck’s design was transformed into the first BMW 3 Series touring.

BMW Motorrad is currently sending a blast of fresh air into the cruiser segment. This is due to the new BMW R 18 The historic roots of this model originate from the home stable, as demonstrated by a glance at the central element in the design and function, namely the double-cradle frame made of tubular steel. The frame made its debut appearance in the legendary BMW R 5 back in 1936. This machine acquired a positively mythical reputation which is narrated in rich detail in the classic#heart blog. A big Boxer engine was naturally part of the action, developed completely from scratch, as in the BMW R 18. However, this engine is not “retro” but quite simply the best.

Shopping at Harrods, maybe a trip to Prada as well, and finishing up with a visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum: These are some of the enjoyable pastimes available in London’s exclusive district of Kensington. And perhaps it’s also a good idea to put on the style and cruise the streets in a Mini Knightsbridge, the last of four special editions launched on the marketplace in the year 2000, shortly before production of the classic Mini came to an end. This version was the epitome of luxury, and gave rise to the reputation that it must have been left parked next to a Rolls-Royce for an extended period of time. Whatever the truth of this shibboleth, the wonderful concept of “burl walnut” was featured in the prospectus, to say nothing of soft leather seats finished in the colour Alpaca. This guise was a long way away from the somewhat spartan concept of the original Mini but it was living proof that the idea behind this motor car really is open to any interpretation. 

The exhilarating meetings of the classic community under the motto “Wheels & Weißwürscht” at the location of BMW Group Classic on Moosacher Straße in Munich were scheduled to kick off again at the beginning of May. But times have changed now. BMW Group Classic has dreamed up a little competition for the period until the event can come back to life. After all, even without the physical meetings, lots of the participants will undoubtedly be engaged in buffing up their treasured gems in readiness for the summer weather. Photos on Facebook or Instagram (with hashtag #wheelsandweisswuerscht and the link to the BMW Group Classic Account, i.e. Instagram: @bmwclassic | Facebook: @BMWGroupClassic) will be entered automatically in the draw for three upscale picnic hampers. That way an inkling of the exuberance may rock up at home – but there’s no doubt that the Weißwürste will be on the menu (by the way, Weißwürste are traditional Bavarian white sausages made of veal).