Ask a hundred people what their idea of a classic, ageless car design is and you’ll likely get a variety of unique answers, most of which would make perfect sense. The early Mustangs and Corvettes would certainly qualify, as would the ‘57 Chevy and T-Bird, the Jaguar XKE, and any of a dozen other great cars. But if you ask me, the greatest car design of all time is the BMW E24 6 Series. This car just has all the right stuff. It looks aggressive, yet sophisticated. It’s instantly recognizable and its appearance was changed very little from the start of its 14 year run in 1976 until the last model rolled off the line in 1989. Having owned a 633 CSi while stationed in Germany, I can attest to the incredible power and agility of this car. Its nickname was “Autobahn airplane” for good reason; driving it felt like flying a jet fighter. At its top speed of 149 MPH, this car was as stable as granite. It could stop on a dime and change directions without hesitation. And always it turned heads. But don’t take it from me. Judge for yourself. Is this a beautiful machine, or what? I just wish it were mine.

I’ve been a fan of BMWs since I first laid eyes on the original 6 series. My first BMW was a 1977 633CSi which I bought while stationed in Germany in 1983. It was incredibly fast and maddeningly fickle and prone to problems. The BMW dealer even admitted it was a lemon and always would be. Still, I loved it. I left it in Germany when I came back to the US in ‘89. I wouldn’t own another BMW until I moved out here to central Illinois in 2002. I bought a 2001 530i in November 2003. It was a certified pre-owned (CPO) with 37k miles on it. 14 months later it had 90k miles and I traded it in on my current 2001 740iL. As much as I liked my 530i, it couldn’t compare with the 740. This car is also prone to mechanical gremlins and the occasional bizarre problem, though. Just this past Friday, as we were coming home from the Indianapolis airport, the left front turn signal assembly parted ways with the car. I haven’t got a clue how it worked its way loose, but it’s gone now and there’s a big hole where it should be. No other damage at all. Strange. I’ve run across folks who either look down at me because I own a BMW (must be a snob, etc), or think I’m making a ton of money (also not true). I don’t understand the reactions. My current BMW cost less than a new pickup truck. I take driving very seriously and I hate seeing people who don’t (cell phone in the ear, reading a book, putting on make-up, etc). My biggest flaw is a massive lack of patience while driving. I don’t like myself when I get impatient. It’s like a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing. I can step outside myself, look back, and think, “What a jerk.” Then I resolve to change my behavior; an oath that lasts until the next left-lane slow poke comes along. Alas, I am what I am.