The 7 Series has been the flagship BMW model for six generations, seven if you count the G70, which is only now starting to reach US dealer showrooms. A full-size executive sedan has always been an object of lust and a symbol of success. Perhaps no other vehicle has represented this more consistently and accurately throughout history than the BMW 7 Series. Here, we celebrate what it means to truly earn the title of “flagship”- and why history will remember the BMW 7 Series as a quintessential example.
BMW was riding high upon a wave of success following the introduction of its New Six platform in the late 1960s. Designed to compete with Mercedes-Benz in the full-size luxury sedan segment, it received a very warm reception from critics and the public, selling well and solidifying BMW’s reputation going forward as a company that makes fun-to-drive but still superbly comfortable sedans. Internally designated the E3, it came to the US in 1969 before being given the hotter engine in the 2800 and dubbed the Bavaria in 1971. By 1977, BMW replaced the New Six with the 7 Series, with production spanning almost a decade.
A shortened version of the New Six platform existed alongside the New Six sedan, or the E3, as BMW engineers referred to it. It featured most of the same parts and drivetrain configurations and evolved into the E24 chassis “shark nose” 6 Series. You may better recognize this vehicle by its chassis designation: the E9, responsible for the famed 3.0 CS and 3.0 CSL models. But that’s a story for a different article.
The E23 7 Series is the first 7 Series ever and introduced BMW buyers to features that have grown to become industry standards, like an onboard computer with check control and service reminders. The design was pretty radical compared to the outgoing New Six – only carrying over the individual headlights concept. You can thank Paul Bracq – of Mercedes-Benz 230SL and E25 Turbo concept fame.
The E23 7 Series came in auto and manual transmission versions, and BMW offered it only with an inline-six. A charismatic performer, it…
