Customer Reviews

BMW: The Classic Cars of the 1960s and '70s (Crowood Autoclassic)

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Any young BMW enthusiast will be forgiven for thinking that BMW have always manufactured the 3-series, the 5-series and the 7-series.

Here, howewer, is the history of the models that preceded the above-mentioned model ranges. The book starts with the 1500, which was designed by Giovanni Michelotti and was introduced in 1961. This is the model that is generally seen as the one that set BMW onto the road to its current success. Next comes the '02 range, which included the 2002, and even the rare 2002 Turbo gets a mention.

A lot of attention is rightly given to the six-cylinder models that preceded the 7-series, which included probably the best-looking volume-produced BMW ever, the 2800/3,0 CS range. The CSL version became a legend, especially in European motorsport, and this model is extensively covered.

The only criticism to be levelled at this book is that the text and the pictures are not always cohesive. Some pictures are not on the same page as the text that discusses the relevant models. A more minor point of criticism is that a few pictures of models that are outside the scope of this book, are included. All three current model ranges have been written about in detail, and the pictures belong in those volumes.

Notwithstanding these comments, this book reminds you of a time when BMW still built real cars, not automotive computers, and therefoe it is worthwhile for anybody who has even a remote interest in BMW's.