Frank Stella BMW M1 goes on the block at Bonhams this August

It's times like this I wish I was a Russian oligarch.  Or any sort of oligarch for that matter.  In addition to the famous BMW 3.0 CSL that Frank Stella painted in graph paper livery for BMW's Le Mans assault in 1976, he also apparently painted an M1 on private commission in 1979.  This makes the M1 in question the only BMW Art Car that will ever be available for private sale, since all the others reside in BMW's permanent collection.  Even more curious is that this painted M1 was in the Guggenheim's collection since 1999, but it was never displayed, as far as I know, except to be driven in 2003 for an exhibition run.  With an estimate of $450,00-$600,00 I'd say this car is a bargain by Art auction standards.

Via the NY Times Wheels Blog

Upper photo credit: Phil Patton