Final yr on the 2024 Legends of the Autobahn, we noticed an enormous number of BMWs spanning over half a century of BMW historical past. In that respect, Legends of the Autobahn 2025 was virtually equivalent. However the automobiles themselves have been fully distinctive; doubtlessly, showcasing even higher variety. As a reminder, Legends of the Autobahn is one among a number of occasions operating concurrently with Monterey Automobile Week. Dubbed the “premier all-German marque concours,” it options completely automobiles hailing from German automakers. What’s extra, 2025 marks the occasion’s 15th yr on the Pacific Grove Golf Hyperlinks adjoining to Monterey, California.
Actual Classic
Automobile Week is all in regards to the classic automobiles, and Legends of the Autobahn celebrates equally. Right here, we see a BMW 2800, a part of the “New Six” lineup. Sporting the E3 chassis code and designed as a bigger Neue Klasse various, the 2800 was positioned proper above the 2500 fashions. These have been again within the days when the badge on the again instantly correlated to engine dimension. However together with a bigger 2.8-liter engine and extra 20 horsepower, the 2800 additionally received a sportier suspension, greater tires, and extra facilities. In 1971 a extra highly effective dual-carbureted 3.0-liter engine debuted. Coupe equivalents received “CS” nomenclature, and that’s the place the three.0 CS (and CSL) are available. Oh, and it’s sandwiched between a pleasant E31 8 Collection and E90 M3. Typical Legends of the Autobahn.
Legends of the Autobahn is virtually required attendance for 02 Collection homeowners. Starting from extraordinarily customized jobs to bone inventory examples straight from the Sixties and Seventies, there was one thing for each style. The 2002 is the favored taste of the 02 Collection, beloved now and in-period for its perky powertrains, small footprint, and — consider it or not — effectivity. To cite one among journalism’s most colourful writers, David E. Davis Jr: “To my mind-set, the 2002 is one among fashionable civilization’s all-time finest methods to get someplace sitting down.”
ALPINA Heaven
Like we stated, slightly little bit of every part all the time turns up at Legends of the Autobahn. Right here, we are able to see two ALPINA E36 3 Collection, an E21-based ALPINA B6 2.8 carrying vibrant orange paint, and naturally a pleasant choice of different ALPINA BMWs starting from the E30 to the last-generation ALPINA B7. Although now owned solely by BMW, ALPINA began life as a tuner store, suping up and racing BMWs. As ALPINA withdrew from racing in 1988, growth of highway automobiles turned extra of a joint effort. At present, ALPINA automobiles are designed with crushing Autobahn miles in thoughts. Principally, take a typical BMW and make it go as quick as potential as comfortably as potential.
Gentle…Wait, What?
Don’t try to regulate your tv. That’s actually 5 BMW E36 M3 Lightweights in your display, every extra equivalent than the final. However, in fact they’re — modifying arguably essentially the most collectible E36 ever would is a idiot’s endeavor. The M3 Light-weight (abbreviated as LTW) was a restricted run model of the E36 M3 that solely got here to the US. Simply 126 have been made, and so they all got here in Alpine White with black fabric seats and carbon fiber trim. Whereas the M3 LTW did get caught with the US-market S50 — 240 horsepower — it was at the very least down on weight in comparison with common E36s. Right here, “light-weight” translated to a 280-pound food regimen — greater than sufficient for even half-conscious drivers to really feel.
After all, there was loads of newer stuff round, too. However, let’s face it — you’ve in all probability seen an F80 M3 or two earlier than. Flip via the gallery beneath for a have a look at all the opposite stuff we handle to get a shot of and tell us what your favorites have been. That manner, we all know what to search for at Legends subsequent yr.
[Photos: Dan Levins / @klapped.media]
