MUNICH, Germany – The walkway between BMW's ultra-modern WELT delivery centre and its landmark museum serves as a metaphorical bridge between the company's past and present.

1938 BMW 327/28 - First launched as a cabriolet, it was later joined by the coupe. One of the most desirable sports cars of its day – particularly among leaders of the German Third Reich. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com)

 

Located next to the Olympic Village in Munich, Germany, the museum was opened in 1973 and has since played host to over 400,000 visitors per year. The distinctive "cauldron" shaped exhibition hall is nestled beneath the iconic "four-cylinder" BMW headquarters. Both are the work of Viennese architect Dr. Karl Schwanzer.

Closed for a two-year grand renovation, the museum re-opened in 2008 and has since become Munich's third most popular museum.

Once inside, the visitor follows spiralling ramps ascending upward. Along the way are ever-changing exhibitions focussing on nine decades of BMW history. They currently include historically significant cars, motorcycles, a mouth-watering display of engines (complete with headphones), several important motorsports race cars and on the top level, the delightful BMW Art Car collection – here in its entirety only until the end of September.

In total, there are over 53,000 square feet of exhibition space divided into seven "houses" – and the visitor will cover approximately one kilometre on foot. For the die-hard aficionado, it's a must-visit, a bucket-list exodus to the mecca of all things BMW.

Here's a small taste – to whet your appetite– of what you'll experience when you make your own visit.

 

1978 BMW M1 - Only 455 of these beautiful mid-engined cars were built for the public - and only to quality under racing's homologation rule. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com)