Gaze upon the understated elegance of the E38 BMW. Like Weezer’s best work, this iteration of the iconic 7-Series was produced from 1994 to 2001. And like the Blue Album, every gentleman of a certain age should own one. From the double kidney grill to the Hofmeister kink, there is no doubt that this Bavarian beauty is pure BMW. A driver’s delight with room for five, the E38 stands among daily driver royalty. The E38 has starred in such over-the-top films as Tomorrow Never Dies and The Transporter despite its below-the-radar appearance. The names of E38 owners often end in the letters JD, MBA, CPA, MD, or III. And while many of these owners may be jerks, they are smart jerks with nice cars. At the end of its run, BMW replaced the elegant E38 with the engorged E65.
[1] Like Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront and The Island of Dr. Moreau, the difference is striking. Put another way, Cassius would have driven the E38 and Caesar the E65.[2] And with the exception of the integrated arm-rest phone (“Hey, you’ve reached Zach Morris. Talk to me.”), the E38 is timeless. Which is why the Gentleman Motorist still wants one.
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[1] People actually know the designer responsible for this design by name because the back of the E65 has come to be referred to as the “Bangle Butt.” At least Chris Bangle gave us the Z4 and the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model. The latter will soon be shown at the High Museum’s Dream Car Exhibit. A wise man once said, “You win some. You lose some.”
[2] “Caesar: Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” -- The Life and Death of Julies Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2. William Shakespeare.
Photo(s) from Wikipedia.
[1] Like Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront and The Island of Dr. Moreau, the difference is striking. Put another way, Cassius would have driven the E38 and Caesar the E65.[2] And with the exception of the integrated arm-rest phone (“Hey, you’ve reached Zach Morris. Talk to me.”), the E38 is timeless. Which is why the Gentleman Motorist still wants one.
_______________________________________________
[1] People actually know the designer responsible for this design by name because the back of the E65 has come to be referred to as the “Bangle Butt.” At least Chris Bangle gave us the Z4 and the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model. The latter will soon be shown at the High Museum’s Dream Car Exhibit. A wise man once said, “You win some. You lose some.”
[2] “Caesar: Let me have men about me that are fat; Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o' nights: Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” -- The Life and Death of Julies Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2. William Shakespeare.
Photo(s) from Wikipedia.
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