The BMW CCA Foundation and The Ultimate Driving Museum are pleased to welcome the Wundercar Collection from Germany. This exquisite group of E3s is on loan from Dr. Christian Zschocke and have traveled from Germany to tour the United States. This tour is the first time all four vehicles have been shown together in the U.S., and this will be the only showing on the East Coast. In early March, the Wundercar Collection will leave The Ultimate Driving Museum to travel to the prestigious Petersen Automotive Museum in California.
The Wundercar collection is a group of iconic BMW 1969 E3s. The E3 was first introduced in Europe in 1968, and in the U.S. in 1969. Also known as the “New Six,” the E3 was the first six-cylinder sports sedan which BMW became so famous for making. The Wundercar Collection includes four cars: The Inka, The Group One, The California, and maybe the most memorable, The New Horizon, which tells the story of 1969 in artwork.
The Inka is a pristine example of the iconic E3 boasting beautiful Inka Orange paint, thus giving the car its name.
The California is an open car (without a roof). BMW never produced an open E3 with or without a roof, which makes this car one-of-a-kind. The coachwork skill employed in this example has essentially died out since WWII and is very rare to see being done on any automobile today.
The Group One is a rally car and has been used by Zschocke on modern rallies throughout Europe, often showing its rear end to shocked Porsche drivers.
The New Horizon Art Car is a 1969 BMW 2500. After a painstaking restoration, this E3 was hand painted by German artist and designer Walter Mauer, who has painted many of the BMW Art Cars. Mauer has collaborated with artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, and recently with contemporary Chinese artist, Cao Fei. The New Horizon innovates the BMW Art Car paradigm by using for the first time a historical car as a canvas to celebrate BMW’s future.
These infamous cars have garnered a lot of attention in the past. Bimmer fans will appreciate the craftsmanship that is exemplified by each example. They may all share the same E3 chassis, but each car has its own personality! Each boasts poems and music dedicated to themselves. If you are a member of the BMW Car Club of America, you can read more about The California in the May 2022 issue of Roundel or click HERE. (Please use your BMW CCA account credentials to login and see the issue.)
While this short-term exhibit will only be available for the month of February 2023, a special day has been set for the owner, Dr. Christian Zschocke, to speak about what makes these rare cars special. On February 11th, 2023 Christian will be speaking at 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. Tickets for the event will be sold through Eventbrite. You can find out more information about the event on The Ultimate Driving Museum events page.
Limited edition merchandise revolving around these cars are available for purchase at the Museum Gift Shop or online. From 1/18-scale models of The New Horizon car to limited edition pins for each car, to books and magazines. Owner, Dr. Christian Zschocke, will be available to sign copies of his books or models and answer questions about his “Wunderful” collection. —Christine Chabot
[Photos courtesy of the Wundercar Collection.]
