BMW Has A Secret American Car Collection You Cannot Visit
BMW's Hidden Time Capsule
BMW has a strong U.S. footprint thanks to its Spartanburg plant, which produces much of the brand's crossover/SUV lineup and has helped make it the largest automotive exporter by value for more than a decade. But apparently, the Bavarian automaker also has a so-called "secret vault" where several models, including some built at the plant, are preserved.
Thanks to the Petersen Automotive Museum, Thomas Plucinsky from BMW Group Classic shared a glimpse of the collection, though he did not disclose its location. The collection aims to chronicle the history of the Spartanburg plant and the cars assembled there, while also highlighting BMW's broader history in North America, which began in 1975.
The Cars That Defined Generations
Of course, an in-house BMW collection wouldn't be the real deal without the M3 and M5 lineages, including the E39 M5, which is often considered one of the most beloved generations of the model. There is also a lineup of Z3 variants, including the M Coupe, better known as the "clown shoe" for its quirky shape, though it remains a cult classic among enthusiasts.
Some represent milestones for the Spartanburg plant, such as the Toronto Red X5 M, which was the 5 millionth vehicle built by the facility, fittingly matching the "5" and "M" in its nameplate. Following that theme was the Java Green X6 M next to it, which, living up to its badge again, was the 6 millionth vehicle assembled in South Carolina.
The plant assembled its 7 millionth vehicle earlier this year with an ultra-exclusive Alpina XB7, though it does not appear to be featured in this tour of the collection.
Preserving the Past
Other interesting cars mentioned include the E36 328i used in the torch relay when BMW sponsored the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, a diesel-powered 3 Series, GTP race cars, a Formula 2 car, and a 1959 503 Coupe, which predates the establishment of BMW North America. There are also all-electric models, including the Mini E, ActiveE 1 Series, and i3, not the current model underpinned by the Neue Klasse platform.
The collection still contains plenty of cars, but Plucinsky decided to save them for Part 2 of the tour, which will be available on the Petersen Automotive Museum's YouTube channel. Again, he did not disclose the location, so enthusiasts cannot visit it. That said, those looking for a BMW pilgrimage can still visit the Zentrum museum near the Spartanburg plant.
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This story was originally published June 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM.