Classic Top Gear: 1986 BMW 735i & Trickle Down Technology
by Gunnar Heinrich ::: YouTube ::: BMW E32 735i
CLASSIC Top Gear is a wonder to behold.
Lacking modern Top Gear‘s ADHD flash, jump-cuts, and Clarkson’s cult of personality – the original’s as mild and soothing to watch as mum putting on the kettle to serve you a cup of Twinnings Earl Grey. Only cozier.
The hosts suggest, advise, and warn – rather like Her Majesty the Queen - as opposed to prodding info at you through prat falls and dense snark that Richard Porter wrote furiously the night before.
That said, there’s no denying that Top Gear has come a very long way.
As has the BMW 7-Series – though not in the same positive direction. In the late 80s and early 90s, the E32 7er was the technically superlative, brilliantly executed, and wonderfully understated answer to the obnoxious Bimmer image that catered to – as the host puts it – the “aggressive, thrusting, young businessman who’s on his way to the top and doesn’t much care who knows about it.”
Tea’s ready.
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
Euri | May 28, 2010 | Reply
‘Mercedes like passenger department and rear end’?! However, very nice report! Nice to notice that the innovations are still in production in todays models (1986 asc+t, locking up windows, safetybelt, etc.)
G | May 28, 2010 | Reply
Quite true on everything save for the passenger department and trunk comment. Those were both very clearly BMW in design and execution.
E | May 28, 2010 | Reply
Watched it again
(With a fresh cup of Twinnings Earl Grey)
Nice to spot the e38 lines allready in the e32..
Gunnar | May 28, 2010 | Reply
Both the E32 and E38 7er are among my favorite cars ever. Given a choice of one over the other, I don’t know that I could choose.
Euri | May 29, 2010 | Reply
Indeed a hard choice. Both are ranked very high in my top 10 favourite BMW’s ever. They represent the BMW design era’s of the ’80s & ’90s perfectly. (Those 20 years of ultimate design evolution..) Back then, brands were very distinctive from each other, within their designs (both interior and exterior) and brand image.