Stella 3.0

The single most beautiful car of all time will be on display at NY's Grand Central Terminal from March 24 - April 6. Even if it means taking the 4/5/6 at rush hour, we must go see it.

Among auto styling aficionados, the early '70's-era BMW 3.0CS is considered one of the true classic car designs. A long low profile, acres of blue-tinted glass with no apparent structural support (the lack of a 'B-pillar' is mimicked in coupes to this day), the shark-nose with an endless row of headlights; now this is a CAR.

Now imagine making a racing version: replace the heavy steel doors and hood with light-weight aluminum, yank out every ounce of unneeded stuff, bolt on body-hugging spoilers, dams, and fenders to make it look like the Bat Mobile.

Now ask abstract artist Frank Stella to paint it any way he wants. You end up with 1976's 'Art Car' BMW 3.0CSL. Black line drawing on the white canvas of the car. Sublime. See you at Grand Central.

What does this have to do with visual thinking?

Everything. For ten years from 1971 to 1981 (from age seven to age seventeen) I knew I was going to be an auto designer when I grew up. I was going to attend the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena then go on to become the next Raymond Loewy.

Things worked out differently. At age 17 I spent a year living as an exchange student with a Thai family in a rice field longhouse two hours north of Bangkok, Thailand. I learned there were more important things than cars, and instead studied biology and painting. But I never lost that love of cars, especially that BMW.

In fact, when I moved to California a few years ago, the first thing I did was buy one.

Thank you eBay.

The details:
BMW Art Car Exhibition
Dates: March 24 – April 6, 2009
Location: Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal
Park Avenue at 42nd Street
New York, NY

Comments

[Daniel Orr]

I'm in absolute total agreement with you about this car being the most beautiful of all time. I'm particularly fond of the Alexander Calder version.

The original XKE is right up there, though.

[digitalmalay]

I prefer BMW X6..nice car