Final 12 months 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 similar. However the automobiles themselves had been utterly distinctive; probably, showcasing even better 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 12 months 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 different, the 2800 was positioned proper above the 2500 fashions. These had been again within the days when the badge on the again instantly correlated to engine measurement. However together with a bigger 2.8-liter engine and extra 20 horsepower, the 2800 additionally obtained a sportier suspension, larger tires, and extra facilities. In 1971 a extra highly effective dual-carbureted 3.0-liter engine debuted. Coupe equivalents obtained “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 Sequence and E90 M3. Typical Legends of the Autobahn.
Legends of the Autobahn is virtually required attendance for 02 Sequence house owners. 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 Sequence, 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 trendy civilization’s all-time greatest methods to get someplace sitting down.”
ALPINA Heaven
Like we mentioned, a bit of little bit of every thing at all times turns up at Legends of the Autobahn. Right here, we will see two ALPINA E36 3 Sequence, an E21-based ALPINA B6 2.8 sporting vivid orange paint, and naturally a pleasant choice of different ALPINA BMWs starting from the E30 to the last-generation ALPINA B7. Although now owned fully by BMW, ALPINA began life as a tuner store, suping up and racing BMWs. As ALPINA withdrew from racing in 1988, improvement of highway automobiles grew to become extra of a joint effort. Right this moment, ALPINA automobiles are designed with crushing Autobahn miles in thoughts. Mainly, take a typical BMW and make it go as quick as attainable as comfortably as attainable.
Mild…Wait, What?
Don’t try to regulate your tv. That’s in actual fact 5 BMW E36 M3 Lightweights in your display, every extra similar 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 had 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 weight loss plan — greater than sufficient for even half-conscious drivers to really feel.
After all, there was quite a lot of newer stuff round, too. However, let’s face it — you’ve most likely seen an F80 M3 or two earlier than. Flip by way of the gallery beneath for a take a look at all the opposite stuff we handle to get a shot of and tell us what your favorites had been. That manner, we all know what to search for at Legends subsequent 12 months.
[Photos: Dan Levins / @klapped.media]
