List of all classic BMW vehicles: 1960-1980

BMW E9 New Six coupe.
1968-1975

The BMW E9 is a coupé produced by BMW between 1968 and 1975. Initially launched as the 2800 CS model, the E9 was based on the four-cylinder BMW 2000 C / 2000 CS coupés. The body of the E9 was built by Karmann.

844 units of the BMW 2.5 CS were produced between 1974 and 1975. The two-and-a-half-litre 110 kW (150 hp) model was the basic model and could only be distinguished from the three-litre models by the lack of rear bumper guards and lettering.

BMW 2000C / 2000CS New Class coupe.
1965–1969

The BMW New Class coupe was introduced in June 1965. Designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister on the chassis of the sedan model. It was powered by a four-cylinder, 1.8-litre engine with 120 hp in the BMW 2000 CS (Type 120) and 100 hp in the BMW 2000 CA model with three-speed automatic transmission. The car was offered as BMW 2000 C with 100 hp and manual transmission from May 1967 until 1968.

BMW E3 New Six sedan.
1968-1977

Designated internally as the E3, the passenger car was a high-end BMW model with an inline six-cylinder that appeared on the market in the autumn of 1968. The E3 was the first BMW vehicle with the factory code designation E and was intended to compete with the Daimler-Benz S-Class (Mercedes-Benz W 108, W 109 and W 116) and Opel’s KAD series.

The E9 coupé variant was derived from the E3. The successor to the E3 was the first 7 Series, type E23, introduced in May 1977.

BMW M1 (E26 ).
1978–1981

The BMW M1 (internal designation E26) was a super sports car produced by BMW and equipped with a longitudinally mounted mid-engine and rear-wheel drive. From autumn 1978 to the end of 1981, 460 vehicles were produced.

Originally, the BMW M1 was intended as a model for use in motor racing, and only a homologation series would be built in small numbers for use on public roads. However, due to changes in international regulations even before the BMW M1 was introduced, it became virtually superfluous as a racing car. Although it continued to be used as a racing car in several series with moderate success, most of the vehicles produced were sold to private individuals as road-going versions, contrary to the original plan.

Only in the Procar Series, a Formula 1 support programme in 1979 and 1980, did the BMW M1 attract greater racing attention. In the Procar Series, the five fastest Formula 1 drivers in practice raced BMW M1 factory cars against selected private drivers of this type of vehicle.

BMW  Serie 3 (E21 ).
1975–1983

The BMW E21, BMW’s first 3 Series, was launched in August 1975 as the successor to the 02 models. The E21, which was only available as a two-door model, was available with a four-cylinder engine (M10) and from the summer of 1977 also with an inline six-cylinder engine (M20).

In December 1982, the successor model, the E30, appeared, which was also offered with four doors, as a touring car, fully convertible and with a diesel engine.

A total of 1,364,039 vehicles of all engine types were built, of which 4,595 were convertibles produced by Baur.

BMW Serie 6 (E24).
1976–1989

The BMW E24 is a luxury four-seater coupé manufactured by BMW and is the first model of the 6 Series. Production began in October 1975 as the successor to the E9 series. The E24 was officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1976. It largely anticipated the appearance of the 7 Series (E23) introduced in May 1977, but was still based on the modified and slightly shortened wheelbase of the first 5 Series (E12).

Production of the E24 ended in April 1989. It was succeeded by the 8 Series.