BMW launches comprehensive 424-car online archive

    Patrick Jackson 2 March, 2025

    BMW Group Classic product catalogue

    BMW has opened up 80 years' worth of its classic car archives to the general public via a new online tool (Image: BMW Group Classic)

    Looking to brush up on your automotive history, or simply in need of a way to kill some time? BMW has the answer, as it has finally launched a comprehensive 424-car online archive containing images and details of each historic model the Bavarians have built.

    Covering 80 years' worth of cars from the brand's very first 3/15 through to the E46 3 Series of the 2000s, each classic vehicle is accompanied by a short and informative text on each model series, body variants, and engine options, along with current imagery from the BMW Group Classic vehicle collection and the historic BMW media archive.

    In order to assemble this database, 614 data sets and 524 images were processed. During the design stage, emphasis was placed on the future viability of this tool to ensure these historic model overviews can be extended with future vehicle generations.

    For those wanting even more detail, BMW has also revised its complete online archive website which includes even greater levels of detail such as brochures, workshop literature, and specialist books.

    While the new BMW historic model overview tool has only just launched, the company has had similar tools for the history of the iconic Mini brand and the BMW motorcycle range since back in 2021.

    Check it all out for yourself via the links below:

    Patrick Jackson

    Writer & Sub Editor

    Patrick is an automotive journalist with more than eight years of experience across a range of online, print, and broadcast media. His focus is primarily on automotive content, having launched the car review website Drive Section in 2019 and the automotive adventure site Essential Drives in 2024. He is a passionate car enthusiast with a particular interest in classic cars. His past credits include DriveTribe, Vehicle History, Finder, ForceGT, The Weekender Herald, Supercar Blondie, Exhaust Notes, and WhichCar.​

    More inNews

    Mazda 767B

    2025 Adelaide Motorsport Festival TV special produced in collaboration with Retro Rides to air on Nine this Sunday

    You’ll want to park yourself in front of the television this Sunday, April 6, when the 2025 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival highlights show hits your screens, offering a unique look at the March event.

    1938 Ford Coupe-Ute

    History in the making: Ford Australia celebrates 100 years

    To mark Ford Australia’s centenary year, a special “History in the Making” event will be held in Melbourne on Friday April 4, 2025.

    1962 Volvo P1800

    March 2025 Auction Report: Plenty to Like, But Some Prices Decline

    Retro Rides’ Market Analyst Cliff Chambers has plucked the best from roughly 300 car and motorbike lots during March 2025, finding that while there was plenty to like, the value of some models has declined quite noticeably.

    More inEuropean

    1939 Skoda Superb 3000 OHV

    Celebrating 90 years of the Škoda Superb

    The Škoda Superb may only be a relatively recent addition to the Australian automotive landscape, having first launched here in 2010, but 2025 marks 90 years since its debut in its homeland, then-Czechoslovakia.

    1988 BMW 735i E32

    BMW vs. Japan: The late ’80s showdown that reshaped the luxury car market

    The 1980s saw a number of Japanese carmakers foray into the luxury sedan market, particularly in America where Honda launched Acura and Nissan launched Infiniti, but it was when Toyota launched Lexus in 1989 that it gave the likes of BMW a real run for their money, rewriting the luxury car rulebook in the process.

    Jean Charles Rédélé with the Alpine A106

    Alpine celebrates its 70-year history with new video series

    Almost 70 years ago in July 1955, Renault dealer and rally driver Jean Rédélé created Alpine. Originally a standalone brand, the mission was simple: to create a French sports car brand based on Renault powertrains.

    Get The Latest

    Sign up for the latest in retro rides, from stories of restoration to community happenings.

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.