Want To See The Coolest BMW Racing Cars? Head To Seattle

The Pacific Northwest may not seem like much of a haven for classic car enthusiasts. But the region is hosting some rather alluring exhibits early this summer.

The latest sees a rather compelling collection of classic racing BMWs reaching a museum in the Seattle area. It’s a joint effort between BMW USA, the BMW Car Club of America, and America’s Automotive Trust. And it includes some of the Bavarian automaker’s most impressive competition machinery.

They range from a 328 Roadster from 1937 all the way through to a 2017 M6 GTLM. And in between there’s a smattering of F1 cars, touring cars, sports racers, and even rally machines. There’s a 1961 700 RS, a one-of-a-kind ’72 3.0 CSL Group 2 rally car, and Ralf Schumacher’s 2000 BMW.Williams FW22. But those are just a few of the highlights.

All told, there are sixteen vehicles in total. The rest of the list is made up of a ’65 1800 TI/SA, ’77 320 Turbo IMSA Group 5, ’81 March 812 Formula 2 and M1/C, ’86 635i (in JPS livery), ’87 M3, ’92 M3 GTS-3, ’94 M5 Supercar, ’94 320i Super Touring, 2011 M3 GT IMSA, and 2015 Z4 GTLM.

America’s Car Museum

Bimmerphiles will recognize that as one heck of an assortment. And they (and you) will be able to check it out at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, just south of Seattle. The museum is rated as one of the best automotive museums in the world, and one of the top museums of any kind in the Seattle area.

“BMW has been a forward looking company throughout its 100+ year history and the race cars from our past truly exemplify the spirit of innovation and engineering that has made BMW what it is today” said Thomas Plucinsky, head of BMW USA Classic. “We are happy to share eight of our best BMWUSA Classic Collection race cars with visitors to the Heroes of Bavaria exhibit at the LeMay.”

The exhibit opened this weekend, with some of BMW’s top motorsport personalities on hand to welcome guests. The BMW Car Club of America Foundation is also preparing to open another exhibit to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic BMW 2002, which will open on May 18. While you’re in the neighborhood, you may want to swing through Portland to see “The Shape of Speed.”