SMN report:
Here’s something with a wow-factor to add to that lineup of 1:18 scale diecast cars. It’s the latest in a long line of BMW ‘Art Cars’ - art in motion, with designs and paint applied by a host of top-name artists over the years.
Jeff Koons stripes
This latest BMW Art Car is one the best of the breed, a power-stripes design from the hands of US artist Jeff Koons (above) who has worked on an epic speed-meister, the ultra-powerful BMW M3 GT2. Bearing Koons’ unmistakable style, the entire bodyshell is adorned with vivid, streamlined colors against a black background, that (according to BMW’s promo department) gives the viewer: “an impression of motion and speed from every angle.”
Detailed miniature
Copywriter’s hyperbole aside, it’s an interesting car that’s being made available direct from BMW as a 1:18 scale Limited Edition. The metal miniature is fully detailed, with Koons’ contrasting silver interior, plus a decent engine, opening doors and other parts, and refinements that include air ducts, seatbelts and much more.
Protecting the artwork
Protection for the Jeff Koons design comes in the form of a special long-lasting clear varnish. The car comes in a limited edition of 5000, and each one comes in its own display case.
The artist speaks
Jeff Koons is known for his stainless-steel balloon animals and massive flower sculptures, and the car itself is a real racer that competed in the Le Mans 24-hours race in 2010. Koons loves cars, and had this to say: “I always thought it would be an honor to design a BMW Art Car.”
The first Art Car
Another US artist, Alexander Calder, painted the first BMW Art Car (above), way back in 1975. He was followed by well-known artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and many others. The latest Jeff Koons Art Car adds the seventeenth vehicle to the ever-expanding collection.
Lichtenstein's Art Car above, Warhol vehicle below.
Art Car by David Hockney.
Available direct
The 1:18 scale Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 Art Car is now available from selected BMW dealerships and direct from BMW. However, as of our search today, there only seem to be two Art Cars on the BMW website, neither of which is the Jeff Koons edition, so you might need to lob an email to BMW or enquire at your local Beemer dealership.
Summation
Looks a ‘different’ model for the display shelf, with collectibility thrown in, so if you want one, now’s the time. Visit BMW here.
BMW models by the gazillion here.