In recent years, it’s become all too easy to poke fun at the way certain BMWs look. The designs probably would have come in for some teasing from any manufacturer, but because BMW has a reputation for such classically cool cars it’s been even more of a shock. That’s not to immediately hark back to cars like the 8 Series and E30 3 Series, either. Look at the previous 2 Series and 4 Series as examples of modest, handsome, restrained BMW two-doors. If just a bit of that could return, with the impact that seemingly all new cars need, they’d be onto a winner.
Even with recent good’uns to BMW’s name, it tends to be the 20th century we hark back to for really legendary designs. There were fewer constraints back then, undoubtedly, but it chimed with an especially great period for the company’s stylists. When people think of iconic two-and four-doors from BMW, it’s the late '80s and early '90s they think of. The E30 and E36 3 Series, E28 and E34 5 Series, E23 and E32 7 Series and so on. Straight sixes everywhere, unmistakable kidney grilles and perfect proportions; very much of their time, yes, but brilliant-looking cars.
Then there’s the E24 6 Series, maybe the most famous of all the sharknose BMWs. Perhaps because it was just so sharky, its front end glowering as the bonnet protruded forward, but also because it was so damn cool. It raced with some success, it could be had with the M1 engine, it was everything good about two-doors in the '80s (and some of the bad, too). It’s amazing to think that the 6 Series - one of BMW’s greatest-looking two doors - was replaced by the E31 8 Series, perhaps the only car in the back catalogue that’s even better looking.
This is one of the very last E24s, registered in 1990 and boasting Highline spec; introduced in ‘87 for the last couple of years of production, Highline introduced more leather inside as well as new spoilers and TRX alloys outside. Available with both 635 and M635 engines, the Highlines are now regarded as the most collectible of the E24s. And just look at the one we have here…
It’s incredibly low mileage, at just 27,700. It enjoyed a thorough recommissioning in 2016, and according to the selling garage its techs were ‘astounded’ at the condition both on top and underneath. The thing looks ready for a concours lawn immediately, and boasts the added intrigue of being owned by Ian Callum. Yes, that Ian Callum CBE, award-winning automotive designer with cars like the original Ford Puma, Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type to his name. Presumably, he thinks the old Six is pretty handsome, too, and what better approval could there be?
Moreover, this isn’t something that his name on the V5 20 years ago - Callum is the owner now, offered for sale at a dealership listing on PH. Pretty cool. £40k is currently top money for an E24 635, which will be pretty sobering for those who sold ropier ones at Shed money (yes, it happened), but is a whole heap less than an M635 CSI - there are a couple with six-figure asking price on them. For combining all that was good about the E24, a 635 will do the job just nicely - with a celebrated previous owner as the cherry on top.
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