BMW Spicup Cabrio Coupe auctioned for $612,000

In 1969, at the Geneva Motor Show, Bertone and BMW launched the Spicup Convertible Coupe Concept, unique in the world. This legendary classic car was perfectly preserved and was recently exhibited at the Villa d’Este design competition and at the BMW museum. In these circumstances it is understandable that the Spicup concept generated huge waves of interest when it was put up for auction by the famous Bonham auction house during a special event called “Power by BMW”. Although many might be tempted to believe that this is just a car made for show, the Spicup Convertible Coupe was initially intended to be a road car.

During the 1960s, BMW enjoyed a close relationship with Carrozzeria Bertone, whose star designer Giorgetto Giugiaro had been responsible for the 3200CS coupe, so when the Italian coachbuilder wanted to showcase engineer Enzo Cingolani’s idea for a retractable roof, it went to the German firm to whom converted. The ‘Spicup’ (Spider/Coupe) was the result. BMW’s E3 sedan platform was chosen; the example provided to Bertone had the 2.8-litre version of the SOHC straight-six engine installed. The chassis was numbered ‘V. 0010’ – the V for Versuchswagen (experimental car). Despite its futuristic appearance, the Spicup’s main talking point was its novel roof, which consisted of stainless steel panels that retracted into the roll bar. Although the idea never made it to production, it influenced the lines of Bertone’s Targa-roofed FIAT X1/9. With Giugiaro at Carrozzeria Ghia, Marcello Gandini took it upon himself to finish the Spicup, incorporating what was for a time its characteristic front end with its partially hidden headlights, also seen on Alfa Romeo Montreal and Lamborghini Jarama.

All the factors put together caused this car to be sold at auction today for a price of $612,000. After 1969, the Spicup concept was sold to a Dutchman who, annoyed at the original green color, decided to paint the car an orange hue. He also used this BMW daily for a grand total time of 60,000 miles and inadvertently broke a world record this car becoming the only car made in a single copy and to be used that much. This car, which came back to light after 20 years of anonymity, was restored, regaining its original color and the engine was also restored. All this restoration and stuff increased the price a lot. The BMW Spicup Convertible Coupe was built on the platform of the old 2000CS and is powered by a 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine. In this auction where this unique BMW was sold, less exclusive BMWs were also sold such as: BMW 3.0CSL (73′) – $466,000, BMW M1 Pro-Car – $666,000 and last but not least , BMW 328 Roadster (’37) – $666,000