Can you guess what connects all these old BMWs?

BMW is hosting a new exhibition within its museum halls that celebrates design. Not that design, but the classics that informed entire generations of cars; collaborations that stood the test of time.

Yes folks, in today’s episode of Everything’s Better In Italian, we bring you BMW’s ‘Belle Macchine’ exhibition: 23 historic cars, along with a selection of exhibits, all painting a picture of Italian influence on BMW design.

“Renowned designers such as Giorgetto Giugiaro, Giovanni Michelotti and Marcello Gandini produced icons that have made a lasting impression on the brand,” said BMW. 

Let’s take the Garmisch concept car (pictured above), for instance. It was designed by Gandini – Miura! Stratos! Pantera! 5 Turbo! Countach! EB110! – and “played a major role in the design of the original BMW 3 Series and 5 Series of the 1970s”. The genesis is clear in those sharp lines, for sure.

Then there’s the one-off, gorgeous Nazca M12 designed by Fabrizio Giugiaro, the rather delightful Michelotti Vignale, and the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe (below).

“These models were commissioned by the company to serve as sources of creative inspiration or put forward by the Italian designers themselves to ensure they were part of the conversation when BMW was scouting for partners,” said BMW. There are LinkedIn profiles, and then there are V12-engined BMW supercar profiles.

BMW will also take visitors on a little visual journey to Lake Como and its now-famous hunting ground of Villa d’Este, where it’s hosted some absolutely spectacular metal of late.

Like the M1 Hommage. Zagato Coupe. CSL Hommage. The Z4 breadvan. And the £500k BMW Speedtop. Speaking of which…

Nazca M12

Michelotti Vignale

Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe