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The BMW Century, 2nd Edition
Celebrate more than 100 years of Germany’s best two- and four-wheeled rides. This handsome volume is filled with images, history, and in-depth review of the incredible machines BMW has created year after year.
Established in 1916, BMW is one of the automotive and motorcycle industry’s oldest and most-respected manufacturers. Over the past 100-plus years, the company has passed through myriad incarnations. The BMW Century chronicles this remarkable transportation story through the cars and motorcycles manufactured , from the 1923 R32 motorcycle to today’s sleek electric, hybrid, and high-performance cars.
The BMW Century showcases how the company’s visionary team systematically rebuilt BMW in the post-World War II years into the spectacular success we know today—a company with sales in excess of two million cars annually, led by its top-selling 3-series.
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. Over the decades, BMW used that configuration to power groundbreaking machines like the R90S , R100RS , and R80GS . Beginning in 1983, the company added 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-cars and superbikes of today, The BMW Century offers a full review of German engineering at its zenith. The book is illustrated generously with hundreds of historic, contemporary, and racing photographs —many sourced from BMW’s historic archives—and thorough text covering BMW’s full history .
This is the one volume no BMW aficionado will want to be without.
Established in 1916, BMW is one of the automotive and motorcycle industry’s oldest and most-respected manufacturers. Over the past 100-plus years, the company has passed through myriad incarnations. The BMW Century chronicles this remarkable transportation story through the cars and motorcycles manufactured , from the 1923 R32 motorcycle to today’s sleek electric, hybrid, and high-performance cars.
The BMW Century showcases how the company’s visionary team systematically rebuilt BMW in the post-World War II years into the spectacular success we know today—a company with sales in excess of two million cars annually, led by its top-selling 3-series.
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. Over the decades, BMW used that configuration to power groundbreaking machines like the R90S , R100RS , and R80GS . Beginning in 1983, the company added 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-cars and superbikes of today, The BMW Century offers a full review of German engineering at its zenith. The book is illustrated generously with hundreds of historic, contemporary, and racing photographs —many sourced from BMW’s historic archives—and thorough text covering BMW’s full history .
This is the one volume no BMW aficionado will want to be without.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published July 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 7, 2022
The BMW Century, 2e, by Tony Lewin, is a richly illustrated and well-written history of BMW. Whether you're a BMW afficionado or generally just an automobile/motorcycle enthusiast, you will find a lot here to enjoy.
While the automobiles make up the bulk of the book there is a fair representation of BMW's contribution to motorcycle history. These are not, in fact, as separate as one might think, though more along the lines of mindset than design.
My personal favorites are the pictures of the older cars, some of the models that never made it to production, and of course the concept cars. Whatever areas interest you are likely well represented as well.
Admittedly my main interest in reading this was to help me decide if I wanted to get a copy for my BMW-loving friend. And a copy will be on its way fairly soon after publication, but don't tell him, it is a surprise.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
While the automobiles make up the bulk of the book there is a fair representation of BMW's contribution to motorcycle history. These are not, in fact, as separate as one might think, though more along the lines of mindset than design.
My personal favorites are the pictures of the older cars, some of the models that never made it to production, and of course the concept cars. Whatever areas interest you are likely well represented as well.
Admittedly my main interest in reading this was to help me decide if I wanted to get a copy for my BMW-loving friend. And a copy will be on its way fairly soon after publication, but don't tell him, it is a surprise.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
September 4, 2022
A must read book for anyone who wants to understand the core values of BMW. It describes the history of this company in great detail, and the material is fun to read. One can find the chronological order of all major car models, the designers that shaped them to look how we see those cars today and all of that is accompanied with good quality pictures. If you are driving a BMW, or interested in cars in general, this book will not disappoint.
October 29, 2022
Very detailed and easy to read book. The book shows the history and thought processes that were in place of the engineers and company managers during the various historical periods that the company operated in non-boasting and humble way. Must read for every BMW fan.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews