BMW E24

Launched in January 1976 after a design by Paul Bracq and ongoing development by Claus Luthe, the E24 arrived as BMW’s first self-proclaimed 6 Series. It inherited elegant coupé proportions from the E9 yet rode on a stretched platform borrowed from the contemporary 5 Series, allowing room for larger six-cylinder engines and an extended wheelbase that delivered both stability and long-distance comfort. Production ran unbroken for thirteen years before ending in 1989, making it one of BMW’s longest-lived single-generation models until then.

Long-hood/short-deck proportions, frameless door glass and the classic shark-nose grille delivered unmistakable stance. Inside, deeply bolstered leather sports seats, a driver-oriented dash and a thin-rimmed steering wheel made clear the car’s grand-touring ambitions. Subtle revisions during its lifecycle sharpened bumpers and lighting to meet changing safety rules without diluting its original athletic line.

The E24 didn’t just replace the E9; it created an enduring model hierarchy that still anchors the BMW range today. Its formula—powerful naturally-aspirated straight-six engines, rear-wheel-drive and elegant two-door bodywork—established the 6 Series nameplate that carries on with the later E63 generation and influences the design of modern BMW coupés and grand tourers.