Remember when Detroit was moving towards longer/lower/wider before the first oil crisis? In retrospect, Detroit was experiencing hubris, handing the Japanese (and certain quality Europeans) a large slice of the American automotive pie. Interestingly, in the late-1980s, certain German manufacturers moved towards the same design themes with some models, though hubris was not part of the equation. Our Pick of the Day, a 1997 BMW 850 Ci, is one of these vehicles. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Charlevoix, Michigan.
The BMW 8 Series can trace its origins back to the Neue Classe coupe that was introduced in 1965. It served as the basis for the “E9” coupes that began with the 2800 CS that was introduced in 1968. In 1976, it was replaced by the “E24” 6 Series, which was produced in much larger numbers as BMW continued to establish itself better in the United States. In 1990, a successor was introduced and christened the 8 Series.
The “E31” 8 Series appeared much larger than its predecessor, but its wheelbase and length were actually close to the outgoing model, with the 8 Series gaining 2.2 inches in wheelbase and one inch in length—in fact, based on the U.S.-spec 6 Series, the 8 Series actually was over five inches shorter. The 8 Series was a bit more upscale and compared favorably with the Mercedes SL that was introduced in 1988—again, another longer/lower/wider vehicle. When it was introduced, the E31 was available as the 850i with a 5.0-liter V12. As time when on, the V12 was increased to 5.4 (850 Ci) and 5.6 liters (850 CSi), plus the 4.0- and 4.4-liter V8-powered 840 Ci.
Unlike the 6 Series, the 8 Series was pillarless. As a car developed in the 1980s, it was among the first BMWs to have been entirely designed using CAD (Computer-Aided Design). Additionally, it was also among the first production vehicle with a drive-by-wire throttle and multi-link rear suspension. The fanciest of the bunch, the 1992-96 850 CSi, featured four-wheel steering for cars sold in Europe. Weight? Time for Richard Simmons, as the 8 Series was a porker at up to 4300-plus pounds at its heaviest.
Though produced through 1999, U.S. production ended after the 1997 model year, making this Cosmo Black 1997 BMW 850 Ci the swan song of an unusual collectible. Power comes from BMW’s 322-horsepower “M73” 5.4-liter V12, which makes it one of 1,218 cars built, with approximately 363 sold in the United States. The car is backed by a five-speed automatic, as a six-speed manual was only available with the earlier 850i and the CSi. “This 850 has been meticulously maintained at a level 1 condition and always garaged,” says the seller. “The 850 has heated leather seats, automatic air conditioning, traction control, power windows and locks, power moon roof, and original phone. It also has a Blaupunkt stereo with an SD card slot, USB port, and a 6-CD changer in the trunk.”
With a low 55,000 miles on the clock, this is a prime example of a car whose time has come to be more celebrated among post-Malaise-era vehicles, even though its role as a future collectible has already transitioned. Perhaps now’s the time to avoid your own sort of hubris and catch one before the $72,500 price becomes a distant memory.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com