BMW 850Ci Coupe (E31)

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 The wonderfully dramatic BMW 8 Series coupe was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1989 and positively bristled with innovations, as befitted the flagship model from the makers of “the ultimate driving machine”.

While the motoring press babbled on about the numerous road car firsts such as the first electronic 'fly-by-wire' throttle, the first 'CAN bus' system to cut down the complexity and weight of the electrical system and the first BMW multi-link rear axle, what really impressed the man in the street were the pop up headlamps. Childish, we know, but they don’t half look good, especially today now that they are outlawed on modern cars on grounds of ‘elf and safety – shame!

Luxuriously trimmed inside and packed with all the gadgets that its jet-set client base could wish for, the 8 Series turned every journey into an occasion and made the driver feel like a film star every time they slipped behind the wheel. From the outset it was powered by a magnificent all-alloy 5-litre V12 that produced 295bhp and a mighty 330lb/ft of torque. Allied to a 5-speed automatic gearbox that could be operated manually if really rapid progress was desired, this was sufficient to despatch the 0-60mph dash in just 6.8 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. An equally brilliant 4-litre V8 engine was also later offered, as was a 4.4-litre.

Costing well over £60,000 new, the 8 was always an exclusive machine and just 22,800 of the 5-litre models were sold worldwide before production ceased in 1999. Rare, fast and beautifully styled and built, this is a sure-fire classic of the future.

This silver V12 dates from January 1994 and exudes all the road presence you could wish for on its big after-market alloys. Sadly the car comes with very little documentation other than a V5C, an old MOT that expired in November 2013 and a bill for a reconditioned radiator in the same year. Although it runs and drives, it does smoke somewhat under acceleration and is being sold here strictly 'as seen'.