Mobile Masterpieces: The History of BMW's Art Cars

1990 BMW 735i by Cesar Manrique

BMW Art Car # 10 - 1990 730i by Cesar Manrique While Kayama was busy tending to a 535i, BMW simultaneously had Spanish artist Cesar Manrique a large 730i sedan to paint has he so desired. Manrique viewed cars as an essential part of our daily lives, and a major contributor to how the world around us is shaped. As such, he wanted to create an appealing car that, in his words, “united in one single object the perception of speed and aerodynamics with the concept of aesthetics.” “Therefore, my idea was to design the BMW in such a way as to give the impression of it effortlessly gliding without any resistance,” he noted. We’d argue Manrique succeeded. His 7 is adorned with colorful shapes that are, amazingly, both fluidic yet rigidly geometric. The long, flowing lines on several shapes help draw attention towards the back of the car, creating the appearance of movement. We particularly love how the void of the elongated grille flows into a black section that arcs over the wheel wells, and reappears to wrap around the rear valance panel.