1986 BMW M6 Coupe

Elevating the stylish, elegant BMW 6-series from luxurious GT cruiser to an outright supercar, capable of mixing it with contemporary Porsches and Ferraris, was the M635 CSi launched at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show. The work of BMW's Motorsport division, the new derivative was powered by essentially the same 24-valve M88 straight six found in the mid-engined M1, with the exception of having wet sump lubrication, a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio and updated ML-Jetronic Bosch fuel injection. With a close-ratio Getrag five-speed gearbox the only transmission option, the M635 CSi also boasted Bilstein dampers, higher spring rates and lower ride height to sharpen up the handling plus a ZF limited slip diff to handle the 286bhp on tap. Make no mistake, the M635 CSi was quick -0-100km/h was dispatched in six seconds flat on the way to a top speed of more than 250km/h, at least if you lived in Germany with ready access to unlimited autobahns. Keeping all this performance in check were cross-vented discs with ATE four-pot callipers and ABS as standard. Unlike most supercars, the M635 CSi has the added practicality of a cabin capable of seating four adults in comfort, plenty of luggage space in the boot and relatively low running costs. The Recaro front seats and Motorsport steering wheel set the model apart from lesser 6-series and the M-Sport version added muscle to the BMW's lithe styling, with discreet 'M' badges and wider alloy rims filling out the flared arches. A driver's car par excellence, the ultimate 6-series derivative has always been sought after and thanks to its rarity (just 5,803 were built) future classic status is assured.