BMW took a gamble when it introduced the first generation of the 6-series, but the sales of that magnificent coupe rewarded its hopes.
The German carmaker had to retire the already old E9 series, and it didn’t have a proper replacement for it. It had an excellent new platform from the first generation of the 5-series (the 1972 E12) and a new design language introduced by the 3-Series in 1971. Unlike the smaller sibling, the 6-Series was made as a large coupe with a grand-tourer inspiration.

With a design signed by Paul Braq and its fake-cabriolet bodywork, the 6-Series quickly became a very thought-after car. Mercedes-Benz didn’t have anything to offer on the same segment, and its closest rival on the European market was the Jaguar XJS, which was pricier than the German coupe. Its rear-raked front fascia resembled a shark-nose, and the chromed, wrapped-around bumper made the car looks sporty.

The same team designed the first generation of the 7-Series and the 6-Series, and that is why they are similar in shapes. The shark-nose design and the descending trunk line were similar. But unlike the executive sedan, the 6 Series featured frameless windows for the doors and only two seats in the back. The dashboard featured a centers stack tilted toward the driver, and the instrument cluster featured four dials. The German carmaker kept the same layout for over two decades: coolant temperature, tachometer, speedometer, and fuel level.

When BMW introduced the 6-Series on the market, it relied on a 3.0-liter inline-six engine fed by a carburetor and paired to a 4-speed manual. After the carmaker noticed the car’s success, it decided to give it more power and more features to make it more appealing for wealthier customers.