Another rare “Art Car” in the collection: a replica of the BMW V12 LMR roadster that took part in the pre-qualifying race in Le Mans at the beginning of May 1999, driven by Joachim Winkelhock (GER) and Tom Kristensen (DEN), and was presented to the public as part of the race. This Art Car (number #16) didn’t finally took part in the 24 hours race on June 12-13 as it was taken to the BMW Museum after the presentation.
This if the BMW V12 LMR “Art Car” by Jenny Holzer, during the pre-qualifying race at Circuit de la Sarthe, May 1999:
An identical V12 LMR (number #15), driven by Winkelhock, Pierluigi Martini (ITA) and Yannick Dalmas (FRA) was the winner of the 24-hours Sarthe marathoon, while the third official car (number #17), driven by Kristensen, J.J. Lehto (FIN) and Jörg Müller (GER) led the race at various points, but could not finish due to a crash caused by mechanical failure. BMW pulled out from the Le Mans race after this victory, to concentrate their efforts in the supply of engines to the Williams team in Formula 1.
The V12 LMR was built through an alliance between BMW Motorsport and WilliamsF1. It had a carbon and aluminium monocoque chassis, and a V12 engine that displaced 5990,5 cm3, producing 580 hp and allowing the car to reach a top speed of approx. 340 km/h.
Jenny Holzer’s Art Car
The BMW V12 Le Mans Roadster created by Jenny Holzer for 1999’s Art Car features six short texts from her Truisms and Survival series, rendered in chrome letters and phosphorescent paint. Although the overall color scheme used is traditional to motor racing, Jenny Holzer was keen BMW’s distinctive blue and white be visible during the 24 hours of a marathon race -with chrome letters reflecting the sky by day, and with light absorbing paint which glows blue in the dark.
PROTECT ME FROM WHAT I WANT
THE UNNATAINABLE IS INVARIABLY ATTRACTIVE
YOU ARE SO COMPLEX YOU DON’T RESPOND TO DANGER
LACK OF CHARISMA CAN BE FATAL
MONOMANIA IS A PREREQUISITE OF SUCCESS
WHAT URGE WILL SAVE US NOW THAT SEX WON’T?
About the model
The 1/18n diecast model was produced by Kyosho around 2003, as a limited edition (the exact number of units built is unknown), and was sold mainly at the BMW Museum in Munich. BMW part number is 80.43.0.150.916. The model was quickly sold-out and is very difficult to find today. The quality of the replica is very high, with a very detailed cockpit and engine / transmission / rear suspension unit, which can be seen by removing the rear bonnet. Like other BMW 1/18 scale Art Cars , the box also contains a booklet with the description and history of all the models in the series.
Photo Gallery
Packaging and model details:
