If all the cars in the world were students at a high school, BMW 3 series would have been the one everyone secretly looked up to.
BMW 3 series first appeared in 1972 as a concept in Detroit. It looked like more polished version of BMW 2002 which was such a popular design due to it's sporty design. The very first 3 series left factory in 1975, E21 was a replacement for the legendary BMW 2002. It sat on the same chassis and had the same engine. It did not win hearts because it smelled like communism. It was made with plastic and thin wood. The leather was like fake and cloth was cheap. E21 was designed to boost up the German's economy, so money was the main concern for the factory. It was the first BMW to be specifically designed for a certain social class.
BMW had announced earlier that year that their new lines of production would include 3, 5, and 7 series. The message was, if you are filthy rich and you wipe your ass with $100 bills, BMW 7 series would be your car of choice. If you are not as rich but you can afford champagne at your celebrations the 5 series would fit you perfect. And if you are a hard working young man, or son of a rich man, or an old man whose life has not turned so well, stop complaining and buy yourself a 3 series.
The first line of production, as mentioned earlier, was called the E21. It was not the prettiest car of all time. Was not designed to win heart. Yet, it had a soul. It was practical and simple. It's chassis came with a suspension that could be easily up graded. Its sharp 4 cylinder engine was designed to be tuned and with a few extra thousand it could turn down Mustangs and Camaros!
After 8 years of none stop sales, the tune ups and aftermarket parts alone for the E21 brought more money for the BMW factory than Toyotas actual cars did for their corporation.
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