BMW Through the Decades: A Nostalgic Look at Style Evolution

Remember the days when BMWs were the epitome of cool, sleek simplicity with perfect proportions? Those were the cars that turned heads and set hearts racing. I’ve been a BMW fan since before I could even drive, constantly pestering my dad to take me to dealerships to drool over the latest models.

One dealership, in particular, held a special place in my heart — Foreign Motors on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. It was a treasure trove of luxury, housing brands like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, and yes, where Jay Leno once turned wrenches.

It was there, back in the late ‘60s or maybe 1970, that I first laid eyes on what I considered one of the most aristocratic cars ever — a BMW 2800 CS coupe. It was decked out in a regal metallic green with a saddle interior that just stopped me in my tracks. The car had a confident simplicity and proportions that just felt right, including a tall, glassy, pillarless upper that today might seem a bit out of fashion.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself pondering BMW's current design path. The brand has evolved tremendously from those days. Initially, the 2800 CS itself wasn’t a completely fresh start but a significant refresh of the 2000 CS introduced in 1965. The earlier model, despite sharing many aesthetic cues with the 2800, sported a shorter wheelbase and a less flattering front-end, characterized by isolated kidney-shaped grilles and large, awkwardly shaped composite headlamps. It looked, well, a bit bucktoothed.

The evolution of BMW's designs has included some hits and some controversial misses. Take the iconic 3-Series, a car that practically defined the sports sedan category and inspired legions of imitators. The third-generation E36, which started rolling out in 1992, was a game-changer with its short front overhang and the side view dash-to-axle ratio that just screamed efficiency and purpose, especially in the coupe.

Then there was the era under Chris Bangle, BMW’s then-chief designer, known for trying to differentiate the looks of the 3-, 5-, and 7-Series. His approach was, to put it mildly, polarizing. The 2002 E65 7-Series under his watch was bulky and lacked the previous generation's grace, marked by what became infamously known as the “Bangle-butt.” It was a design that didn’t exactly win hearts, leading to a return to more traditional designs in subsequent models.

And now? The current G70 7-Series and other models like the iX EV and XM PHEV seem to be taking BMW in a new direction that’s both bold and somewhat brutal, lacking the graceful lines that once defined the brand.

BMW is at a crossroads, grappling with its visual identity and how it should evolve. While the brand remains highly desirable, known for its quality and prestige, I can’t help but hope for a return to the design principles that made BMW stand out. The perfect mix of elegance, simplicity, and cutting-edge technology that once made cars like the 2800 CS so breathtaking.

As BMW continues to navigate its path forward, I find myself both nostalgic for the past and eager to see where they will go next. Will they recapture the magic of their earlier designs, or will they carve out a new identity in this ever-changing automotive landscape? Only time will tell, but I’m here for the ride.