12 August 2019

BMW stands for “Bayerische Motoren-Werke” – or Bavarian Motor Works – that’s common knowledge. Lots of people are also aware that BMW was initially in the business of manufacturing aero-engines. But did you know that the company was actually founded twice? A great website with a host of fascinating photographs explains the intriguing story behind the establishment of the global company from Munich-Milbertshofen. This was a part of the city that at the time essentially consisted of farmland located outside the city gates.

The vehicle collection at BMW Group Classic is always well worth a visit. And this is particularly the case in August. Groups that have registered for pop-up tours will gain an exclusive insight into the history of the Group’s brands BMW, BMW Motorrad, MINI and Rolls-Royce. The special tours will be conducted by experts in German (at 14.00 on Tuesday to Friday) and in English (at 16.00 on each of these days).

Also in August and likewise at the Head Office of BMW Group Classic: the next diary date for the popular series of “Wheels & Weisswürscht”. Classic fans are invited to come along with their vehicles (whatever the brand) to have a snack and talk shop at BMW Group Classic on Moosacher Straße in Munich (by the way, Weißwürscht is a traditional Bavarian veal sausage).

It was the second film in the “Pink Panther” series, although actually it was only “A shot in the dark” that really got the fast-moving comedy duo of Blake Edwards (director) and Peter Sellers (Inspector Clouseau) on a roll. Clouseau’s classic Mini played a significant role in this success, as seen on the Instagram channel of the Official Mini Classic in a wonderful photo series. The side panels are styled as a hand-crafted weave to beautifully reflect the charm of the film: stylish, clever and utterly idiosyncratic.

When a motorcycle triggers a debate about design on the occasion of its launch, the manufacturer has undoubtedly got something right. It’s exciting. And this was the case for the BMW R 65 LS, a version of the BMW R 65 which marked BMW’s entry into the 50 hp class at the end of the 1970s. The “LS” with the narrower handlebars and a small cockpit fairing was widely debated at the time and remains a subject of discussion to this day, but it’s certainly revered as a classic – among other things because of its legendary smooth handling. Great that the BMW Classic Parts Shop is supplying an original drive shaft for the BMW R 65 LS.