BMW GROUP CLASSIC – HIRE CAR PROGRAMME.

SELF-DRIVE.

HistoryThe successful market introduction of the elegant BMW 2800 CS six-cylinder coupé was soon followed by ever louder calls for more power. An increase in the engine’s displacement to three litres and the incorporation of a Bosch electronically controlled petrol injection system eventually underpinned the creation of the new range-topping 3.0 CSi, which duly arrived in 1971. In terms of performance and opulence, the 3.0 CSi ticked virtually every box. Over 8,000 customers treated themselves to what was at the time BMW’s most exclusive model.

BMW 3.0 CSi.

Year of manufacture 1973Engine Six-cylinder in-line Capacity / output 2,985cc / 200 hp Top speed 220 km/h (137 mph)Colour Chamonix

HistoryFollowing the impressive sales success of the original BMW 3 Series with four-cylinder engines, built from 1975, the first 3 Series with a six- cylinder carburettor engine was duly launched in 1977. Then, in early 1978, the top-of-the-line 3 Series model – the BMW 323i with fuel-injected engine developing 143 hp – went into production. The agility of this compact sports sedan reawakened happy memories of the fleet-footed yet powerful BMW 02 from earlier in the decade.

BMW 323i.

Year of manufacture 1979Engine Six-cylinder in-line Capacity / output 2,315cc / 143 hpTop speed 190 km/h (118 mph)Colour Polaris metallic

HistoryIn 1979 the entry-level BMW 7 Series model with electronic petrol injection came onto the market. Visually almost unchanged, the BMW 728i offered enhanced comfort and safety to go with a slight increase in power.A handful of technical modifications were introduced from September 1982 primarily with the aim of reducing weight and fuel consumption. Externally, the double kidneys at the front end were slightly shallower, the air intake in the radiator grille had shrunk and there were alterations to the panel under the bumper.

BMW 728i.

Year of manufacture 1983Engine Six-cylinder in-line Capacity / output 2,788cc / 184 hp Top speed 196 km/h (122 mph)Colour Burgundy

HistoryShortly after the introduction of the BMW 02 in 1966, an array of additional variants were added to the model range. The BMW 1802 unveiled in 1971 appealed to economically-minded heads and sports-enthused hearts alike. Powered by a 90 hp short-stroke engine, the BMW 1802 combined impressive cost-effectiveness with smile-inducing dynamics at a very reasonable price.

BMW 1802.

Year of manufacture 1974Engine Four-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 1,766cc / 90 hpTop speed 165 km/h (103 mph)Colour Red metallic

HistoryFollowing the start of production of the New Class in 1962 in the shape of the BMW 1500, additions to the line-up came thick and fast. 1966 saw the arrival of the BMW 2000, one of the model range’s most successful representatives. The torquey 100 hp engine and compact but well-equipped and comfortable body came together to create a wonderfully well-balanced car. It wasn’t until 1972 that this model was replaced by the BMW 520 from the first-generation BMW 5 Series, complete with rectangular headlights.

BMW 2000.

Year of manufacture 1971Engine Four-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 1,990cc / 100 hp Top speed 168 km/h (104 mph)Colour Red

HistoryOne of the rarer variants of the BMW 2002 remains the convertible built by Stuttgart-based coachbuilders Baur. A “full” convertible was offered for a short time in 1971, but the prospect of more stringent safety regulations prompted the developers to change tack. The result was a soft-top version of the BMW 2002 with a rollover bar and fixed rear side windows. The new model couldn’t offer quite the same appeal as fully open-air driving, though, and also fell short of the stylistic harmony displayed by the “Vollcabriolet”.

BMW 2002 BAUR CABRIOLET (TARGA).

Year of manufacture 1976Engine Four-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 1,990cc / 100 hpTop speed 170 km/h (106 mph)Colour Blue metallic

HistoryAfter the remarkable success of the new mid-size BMW models and coupés, customers had to bide their time for a new wave of premium-class six-cylinder cars to appear over the horizon. Cue the arrival in 1968 of the new coupé and a brace of sedans with 2.5- and 2.8-litre six-cylinder engines. The BMW 2500 now marked the entry point into the world of luxury-class BMWs. For under 16,000 deutschmarks, customers could en-joy the fruits of 150 hp, sporty suspension and disc brakes all round. It duly became the most successful representative of the new model range.

BMW 2500.

Year of manufacture 1968Engine Six-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 2,494cc / 150 hp Top speed 190 km/h (118 mph)Colour Tundra Green metallic

HistoryAfter an extended sabbatical from the roadster scene through the 1960s and 70s, BMW took the motoring world by surprise in 1986 when it unveiled a cutting-edge prototype. Away from the limelight, BMW Technik GmbH had developed a futuristically styled, sporty two-seater with a plastic body to the verge of production readiness. Such was the groundswell of interest in the BMW Z1 Roadster that BMW launched a small-se-ries edition of the car midway through 1988. Boasting the powertrain technology of the BMW 325i and stylistic flourishes such as retracting doors, it wasted no time in becoming an automotive collector’s item.

BMW Z1.

Year of manufacture 1991Engine Six-cylinder in-line Capacity / output 2,494cc / 170 hp Top speed 225 km/h (140 mph)Colour Magic Violet metallic

HistoryOrder books for a coupé variant of the successful the BMW Z3 Roadster opened to customers in spring 1998. Endowed with an ultra-indi-vidual design, it was only available with six-cylinder engines. Entry into this decidedly niche vehicle class came with the BMW Z3 Coupé 2.8 developing 193 hp.

BMW Z3 COUPÉ 2.8.

Year of manufacture 1998Engine Six-cylinder in-line Capacity / output 2,793cc / 193 hp Top speed 231 km/h (144 mph)Colour Bright Red

HistoryIn the early 1970s, the New Class was replaced in the BMW model line-up by the first examples of the BMW 5 Series range. State-of-the-art com-puter technology was already underpinning stand-out solutions in the field of passive safety. The BMW 520 and the BMW 520i were presented in 1972, with the BMW 525 – the first six-cylinder model – following in 1973. The entry-level BMW 518 was launched in June 1974 with the engine from the BMW 1802. The first BMW 5 Series established the BMW model nomenclature still in place today.

BMW 518.

Year of manufacture 1979Engine Four-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 1,766cc / 90 hp Top speed 160 km/h (99 mph)Colour Topaz Brown metallic

HistoryThe special-series car dubbed the “Mini Classic Edition” by Rover marked the end of classic Mini production in April 2000 after more than 41 years rolling off the assembly line. As well as the Mini Classic Seven, Mini Classic Cooper and Mini Classic Cooper Sport variants, customers could also order a Mini Classic Knightsbridge designed specially for the European market. In addition to sports suspension and suitably sporty tyres on 13-inch Minilite light-alloy wheels, this small “luxury body“ was equipped with a selection of other extras: a dashboard made from pol-ished burr walnut, a two-tone leather steering wheel and soft leather seats. Production was finally phased out in October 2000.

MINI CLASSIC KNIGHTSBRIDGE LHD.

Year of manufacture 2000Engine Four-cylinder in-lineCapacity / output 1,275cc / 63 hp Top speed 148 km/h (92 mph)Colour Green

HistoryIn the 1950s the BMW Isetta micro-car – also known as the “Motocoupé“ – enabled BMW to win over the hearts of former motorcycle riders in their droves and saw the company through a period of serious economic difficulty. Originally developed by the Italian firm Iso in Milan, the Isetta was built under licence by BMW in lightly modified form from 1955. Offered initially only with the 250cc engine from the BMW R25/3 motorcycle, BMW added a 300cc version to the engine line-up in autumn 1955. For many, the BMW Isetta was their first chance to own a driv-able “roof over their head”. It garnered an incredible amount of goodwill for the BMW brand and defined a whole era in automotive history.

BMW ISETTA 300 STANDARD.

Year of manufacture 1956Engine Single-cylinderCapacity / output 297cc / 13 hpTop speed 85 km/h (53 mph)Colour Green

HistoryThe successors to the strong-selling Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow two-door Saloon and Drophead Coupé went on sale in 1971.However, these were not all-new models but a lightly revised Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow presented with new names. Rolls-Royce had already taken out protection for the Corniche name in 1939. It was inspired by a famous coastal road in southern France, where Sir Henry Royce spent a large period of his life. Internationally standard body designation terms had also been adopted, which meant “Coupé” and “Convertible” ver-sions of the Rolls-Royce Corniche were now on sale. Modifications to the valve gear and ignition, intake system and exhaust helped boost power levels, while cruise control was made available for the first time.

ROLLS-ROYCE CORNICHE CONVERTIBLE.

Year of manufacture 1980Engine V8Capacity / output 6,750cc / 244 hp Top speed 190 km/h (118 mph)Colour Black