BMW Brings Art Cars to North America
Truly some of the automotive world’s most curious oddities, BMW's art cars have produced a number of responses in enthusiasts; ranging from shock to awe. Utilizing some of BMW’s most prized possessions, BMW put the world’s most renowned artists to work on everything from their immortalized 1975 3.0 CSL race car to a 1999 V12 LMR prototype racer. Combining some of BMW’s most valuable historic artefacts with the handiwork of such notable artists as Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Roy Lichtenstien, the traditionally stoic Bavarian automaker has created some pretty pricey rolling artwork that would pretty hard to catch, should it ever be stolen. Hence the 16-vehicle collection resides securely in BMW’s Munich museum.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that these amazing works of art are not the most accessible to those that don’t travel to Europe frequently. However, BMW has seen fit to bring four of the most famous art cars to North America for a tour. Already open, the tour has kicked off in LA, with the four vehicles on display outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Featuring the 1976 3.0 CSL Group 5 race car decorated by Frank Stella, the 1977 320i Group 5 race car painted by Roy Lichenstein, Andy Warhol’s multi-hued 1979 M1 Group 4 racer, and Robert Rauschenberg’s 1986 635 CSi, the tour will remain in LA from February 12 to the 24, before heading to New York’s Grand Central Terminal from March 24 to April 6. After those two stops, the cars will be heading to three stops in Mexico before flying back to Germany.