BMW has had an interesting 100 years. It started out as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, then moved onto motorcycles, and finally started car production in 1928. It got pretty good at building cars, then became wrapped up in the Nazi war effort and was left in ruins at the end of the Second World War. It struggled to rebuild itself, first with luxury cars, then with sensible sedans. It used motorsport to build credibility, and the 1980s rise of Yuppies to build profitability. Today, BMW is one of the most respected names in the car business, but its success was never assured.
That ride has produced some fantastic cars. Here, in chronological order, are 10 examples that stand out both for their significance in BMW’s development and their iconic status today.
