BMW Has Just Released a Massive Online Encyclopedia, So That’s Your Friday Afternoon Taken Care Of.

      BMW

      One aspect I've always admired about BMW is its deep respect for its storied heritage. I would rank the Munich-based brand alongside Porsche as companies that take great care in honoring and maintaining their legacies. The BMW Group Classic YouTube series, which showcases various previously unseen prototypes and design studies, was extremely fulfilling for me, and I believe many other enthusiasts would feel the same way. Now, BMW continues this trend with a new online Historic Models Product Catalog featuring vehicles from eight decades, spanning 1928 to 2008.

      Indeed, 2008 is now considered “classic” in BMW terms, serving as a reminder of how time has passed. The catalog is very user-friendly, offering numerous filters—you can refine searches by decade, body type, or model line—or simply enter what you're looking for into the search field.

      It's impressively detailed as well. For instance, I've been captivated by the early BMW Z4s ever since Gran Turismo 7 added the initial 3.0i model to its game this week, and the catalog lets you view production dates, specifications, and other information specifically for that trim. A helpful note also provides context; in the case of the Z4 3.0i, I learned that it was sold alongside the 3.0si in North America, while it was entirely replaced by the 3.0si in Europe.

      However, not everything is included; some vehicles from the later part of that 80-year span, such as the E65 7 Series and the first-generation X3 (almost all the Bangle-era vehicles, oddly), are surprisingly missing. Nevertheless, the catalog is filled with intricate details that only the most dedicated BMW fans are likely to remember, and the depth of knowledge here could lead to either the most engaging or torturous trivia night of your life.

      For instance, did you know about the E36 “Baur Topcabriolet”? These were four-door convertibles designed by Stuttgart coachbuilder Baur starting in 1993, looking like someone had used a can opener on the top of a 3 Series sedan, with the pillars and door surrounds remaining intact.

      BMW 325i Baur Topcabriolet. nakhon100 via Wikipedia, CC-by-2.0 license

      That’s just one of many intriguing facts hidden within this extensive repository of BMW knowledge. So, settle into your office chair this Friday afternoon, pour yourself a warm drink of your choice, and spend some time exploring. Once you're done with that, you can also check out the catalogs for Mini and BMW Motorrad, which have been available online since 2021.

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