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Bruce Kennett
06-20-2006, 03:48 PM
a friend came to visit the other day. he's a distinguished architect and city planner, and was for many years head of MIT's architecture school. he's spent his whole career thinking about design.

he was full of praise for the visual character of the e34 touring and went on and on about its elegance, restraint, balance, etc. he was particularly impressed with how the whole back end of the wagon was resolved. he owned a 2002 back when they were in current production, but feels that the e34 body style is the finest bmw ever made. i just sat and soaked it up like a proud parent, of course.

you guys all know this already, but i thought it was worth passing on. nothing quite like having one's deep-seated enthusiast's preferences confirmed by a professional.

bruce
kick7ca
06-20-2006, 03:55 PM
It was an Italian designer I think.
Bruce Kennett
06-20-2006, 04:15 PM
It was an Italian designer I think.

someone must know chapter and verse on this. i just did a quick trawl through meredith, and came up with a ref to paul bracq as designer of the e12 (1972-81) -- he also did the wonderful 230SL design for mercedes -- and a nod to bela barenyi as a safety designer, but i see no mention of designers when we get to later 80s, or even e28 era for that matter.

am i just not thorough in finding the reference, or does meredith not mention anyone after the 70s?

bruce
Blitzkrieg Bob
06-20-2006, 04:42 PM
was head of the designe team...I think.
Bruce Kennett
06-20-2006, 04:52 PM
was head of the designe team...I think.

i just found a post on bimmerfest forum that confirms this:


For those without a subscription to Bimmer, Claus Luthe was head of BMW design from the E28 through the E39, to me, the era of the "modern" BMW. Now we have the "post-modern" BMWs, and like post-modern architecture, they look like ****.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5692

i'll have to go back and see if meredith talks about luthe elsewhere. seems like a strange omission.
Blitzkrieg Bob
06-20-2006, 04:55 PM
Most current sites are too busy whinning about Bangle's rollin abortions
Nick.Hay
06-20-2006, 05:03 PM
I'll agree...

The Touring is very sexy. I like it, a lot!!!
zygoteer
06-21-2006, 01:18 AM
this came up before ...
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12639
genphreak
06-21-2006, 04:45 AM
this came up before ...
http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12639Don't forget the other truth (http://www.geocities.com/w126s/Classics1.htm)people... Spada must have done the whole concept. I guess Luthe made sure it was delivered right? What an awesome combo.

If only one of us could have killed Claus Luthe's son for him- imagine how good modern BMWs would look. (Bad joke) Nick
Sorry Claus we never met you, but we really do love your work
VentoGT
06-21-2006, 05:38 AM
There was a full story about Claus Luthe in last Month's Roundel...he designed a helluva lot of the BMWs that made BMW big--basically throughout the 80s and 90s, the high point of BMW design IMO. I don't have a scanner or the ability to upload it, but I'm sure there are plenty of CCA members who would be able to--it was a great article.