This one-off BMW E36 art piece is pure millennial nostalgia

To many petrolheads, cars go beyond simply being a vehicle to take you from A to B and become works of art.

In the case of this BMW E36, that is literally what has happened thanks to a collaboration between artist Robin Velghe (also known as Rhymezlikedimez) and maestro of the art car movement Jimmy Howson. It’s a one-off inspired by the legendary Strassenversion from 2001 and takes inspiration from the music, games and visual culture that defined the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Taking nine months to create, Velghe said he “approached the BMW not as a livery, but as one of the most exciting canvases he has ever worked on”. It is plastered with personal references and details of things that shaped the duo’s childhoods, including PlayStation 2 characters — a throwback to Howson’s days playing Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition — and tributes to Jamiroquai and Frank Ocean, as well as Velghe’s signature character, Puff.

Inside, the gear lever has been finished in the same material used on PlayStation 2 analogue sticks, while the steering wheel is motorsport-inspired and incorporates controls for lights, the horn and other functions.

“The Strassenversion gave us the foundation, but the real inspiration came from our childhood,” said Howson. ”This project is the result of decades of collecting influences without even realising it.”

The car made its debut in New York City last month and is set to embark on an epic journey with Howson behind the wheel from Texas to California, where it will be appearing at August’s Monterey Car Week.

While it may be predominantly an art piece, the BMW E36 is still a beast on the roads, producing 227 bhp with an M50 manifold conversion, full M3 3.0 running gear and limited slip differential, as well as uprated brakes and a suspension package.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: The Petrolhead Agency