1 April 2018

On 22 March 1929, the first BMW 3/15 PS rolled out of the production building. Since 1984, Lutz Schmidt from Thuringia has owned one of around 16,000 units that were built – and so far he has driven 80,000 kilometres in the vehicle. The legendary small car will be on display in the BMW Museum until May. Lutz will then get behind the steering wheel again. Where is he going? “All the way to China!”

Franz Zeno Diemer was a bold daredevil. On 17 June 1919, the 230 hp powering the BMW IV aero-engine took the test pilot to an altitude of 9760 metres within the space of one and a half hours – a world record-breaking achievement for BMW. The pilot flew in an open cockpit, and both he and the machine kept going despite low oxygen levels and temperatures of minus 50 degrees.

“The Symphony of Engines”: This is the motto of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa D’Este 2019, which is privileged to look back on 90 years of history – just like automobile production at BMW. BMW Group Classic and the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este have been joining forces to stage the beauty contest for historic vehicles, and this year it is being held from 24 to 26 May. 

Authentic down to the last detail, from the BMW kidney grille to the model lettering at the rear. The selection in the BMW Classic Parts Shop always offers classic-car fans new opportunities to upgrade their vehicle. The latest additions to the product range will empower customers even more to make their mark. Just to take one example, the model lettering badges for the BMW 850i from the 1990s or the second-generation BMW 7 Series. Various emblems for the BMW 02 Series are also supplied from the “1502”, through the “1802 touring” and the “2002 tii” to the “turbo”. The product range of the BMW Classic Parts Shop includes more than 60 000 items. Even scrolling through is fun!

More than 100 years of BMW: That represents an entire universe of stories, ideas, personalities and record-breaking achievements. Our weekly newsletter is intended to give you an insight into that world – Events, Stories and News all about the brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, nurtured with passion and pride by BMW Group Classic. The topic might be sporting milestones, blue riband collectors’ events or a replacement part that has gone through a sophisticated process of reproduction to create a replica component. Find out about the latest information, ideas and exciting developments.