Article: Holiday Snaps - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

I'd have loved to have seen more old touring car racers. But I guess space is always an issue.

[Steve Holmes]

I just loved this mad little Group 5 BMW 320.

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

This BMW 507 commanded a large space towards the end of the museum, surrounded by photos and a staircase that exited back up towards the main entrance. And the reason for this is because it was once owned by Elvis Presley, who owned the car when he was stationed in Germany in 1958, while in the US Army. Prior to his ownership, it had been used for racing.

Presley took that BMW back to the US with him in 1960, and eventually sold it. It was discovered many years later and restored. These 507s have become extremely desirable, and regular versions sell for around US$2.5 million. How much would this one be worth?

There is a great article on the car here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...y-Germany.html

[Steve Holmes]

My favorite car in the museum was this incredible BMW M1 art car. Of all of BMWs series of art cars, this is perhaps the most famous. It was painted by Andy Warhol, who apparently did the whole thing in 28 minutes. But the car was raced as well. Being a Group 4 competition car, it competed at the 1979 Le Mans 24 Hours, and finished 6th overall, and second in class. Drivers were Manfred Winklehock, Marcel Mignot, and Herve Poulain.

What is interesting is just how rough the paint work is. It was applied with a brush, while Warhol ran his fingers through the paint when it was wet. It looks great, and has a bunch of character. I believe the model is the same one Warhol painted first as a mock-up before starting on the real thing.

The BMW art cars have always fascinated me, but this is the first one I've seen in the flesh. Understandably, it was hard to get a photo without other people getting in the way.

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

[Steve Holmes]

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Reading the Oct/Nov/Dec issue of Automobilsport magazine last night, I discovered that this car won the 1940 Mille Miglia. I guess thats why it was given so much space in the museum.

[Steve Holmes]

End of Part 1. Next we visit the Le Mans museum.