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The BMW Century: The Ultimate Performance Machines
2017 Silver Medal Winner of the International Automotive Media Competition!
Relive the first one hundred years of Germany's best two- and four-wheeled rides. Established in 1916, BMW is one of the auto and motorcycle industry's oldest and most-respected car and motorcycle manufacturers. Over the past century, the company went through myriad developments. The BMW Century chronicles this remarkable transportation company through images of the cars and motorcycles it manufactured, from the 1923 R32 motorcycle to sleek electric cars of today. This handsome volume is filled with images, history, and in-depth looks at the incredible machines BMW created year after year. The BMW Century showcases how the company's new visionary team systematically rebuilt BMW in the post-World War II years into the spectacular success we know today - that is, a company with sales projected to be upwards of two million cars annually by 2016, led by its 3-series, the best-selling luxury-performance car in the world. BMW's motorcycle division is no less legendary. It began with the 1923 avant-garde R32, which featured a 180-degree, horizontally opposed twin, the engine configuration that would become BMW's hallmark. Along the way, BMW would use that configuration to power groundbreaking machines like the R90S, R100RS, and R80GS. Beginning in 1983, they would add three- and four-cylinder machines to their offerings, culminating in today's spectacular S1000RR sport bike. From the pre-war motorcycles to the iconic R-series twins of the 1970s and 80s to the mighty M-series cars and superbikes of today, The BMW Century offers a full review of German engineering at its finest. The book is illustrated with hundreds of historic, contemporary, and racing photographs - many sourced from BMW's archives - and detailed text relating the BMW's full history. This is the one volume no BMW aficionado can be without.
Relive the first one hundred years of Germany's best two- and four-wheeled rides. Established in 1916, BMW is one of the auto and motorcycle industry's oldest and most-respected car and motorcycle manufacturers. Over the past century, the company went through myriad developments. The BMW Century chronicles this remarkable transportation company through images of the cars and motorcycles it manufactured, from the 1923 R32 motorcycle to sleek electric cars of today. This handsome volume is filled with images, history, and in-depth looks at the incredible machines BMW created year after year. The BMW Century showcases how the company's new visionary team systematically rebuilt BMW in the post-World War II years into the spectacular success we know today - that is, a company with sales projected to be upwards of two million cars annually by 2016, led by its 3-series, the best-selling luxury-performance car in the world. BMW's motorcycle division is no less legendary. It began with the 1923 avant-garde R32, which featured a 180-degree, horizontally opposed twin, the engine configuration that would become BMW's hallmark. Along the way, BMW would use that configuration to power groundbreaking machines like the R90S, R100RS, and R80GS. Beginning in 1983, they would add three- and four-cylinder machines to their offerings, culminating in today's spectacular S1000RR sport bike. From the pre-war motorcycles to the iconic R-series twins of the 1970s and 80s to the mighty M-series cars and superbikes of today, The BMW Century offers a full review of German engineering at its finest. The book is illustrated with hundreds of historic, contemporary, and racing photographs - many sourced from BMW's archives - and detailed text relating the BMW's full history. This is the one volume no BMW aficionado can be without.
- GenresCarsNonfictionHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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April 23, 2022I have recently read the book The BMW Century and this book has exceedingly surpassed my expectations and given me even more respect for the great machines that we see and use every day. I choose to read this book because I have always seemed to have an interest in cars for most of my life and as mentioned before, this book exceeded my expectations in many ways with its immense detail and how it explained the many events that led to this car company taking the route. Also, the book lists the various models that have given the company its famous notoriety. This book goes into extensive detail on how this small manufacturer of automobiles would go and become one of the largest and most respected luxury car brands in us and abroad. One of my favorite parts of the book was when it went into detail about how BMW’s quest to always make the most luxurious car would propel them to international fame and allow them to reach the high that they are at today. I believe this book would be perfect for any car enthusiast such as me as this book is an excellent read as it gives valuable insight into how the car business works.
October 20, 2020
What a complete and utter disappointment!
Apart from a picture of the pointless David Hockney Art car there was not a single mention of the e31 or G14 8 series. The e31 had a significant place in development at the end of the 80's and into the 90's and to not even mention it, let alone show it, rendered the book totally useless and will now gather dust on a bookshelf until someone is looking for a raffle prize.
Apart from a picture of the pointless David Hockney Art car there was not a single mention of the e31 or G14 8 series. The e31 had a significant place in development at the end of the 80's and into the 90's and to not even mention it, let alone show it, rendered the book totally useless and will now gather dust on a bookshelf until someone is looking for a raffle prize.
December 22, 2021
The BMW Century:The Ultimate Performance Machines is a great in-depth read on all of BMW's models and Motorcycles from it's earliest days and corporate history to concept cars and racers.Beautiful color photography and black and white pictures as well as archival pictures.I believe it is well-written and has been put together in a smart package.This is A BMW Book worth having and highly recommended for any gearhead.
December 27, 2020
It is surprising to find out what a rollercoaster BMW’s history has been. The book is focused mostly (maybe rightly) on the firm’s management and models lineup though the decades. It would have been a bit more interesting to dive into engineering details and explain how some of the concepts work.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews