1991 Dinan 850i

This 1991 Dinan 8 is one of only 50 produced. It was originally built for PGA Pro Mark Calcavecchia. The Stage II Twin Turbo System was an additional $25,000 expense, coupled with a $4,500 wheel and tire package, and a $2,185 Stage III package. The total cost of this vehicle was $123,780. The five-liter V12 engine is capable of producing 525 horsepower and 589 ft-lbs of torque.

The Stage III suspension system includes larger front and rear sway bars, Bilstein Sport shocks, custom lowering springs, and static camber plates.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2009

The BMW 8 Series was a brand new value proposition that was focused on a different market entirely from the previous BMW 6 Series. Costing around $100,000, production on the 8 Series began in 1984 and ended in 1999 with a total of 30,261 produced. Showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in '89, the 8 Series was built to compete with the upcoming Mercedes SL.

In 1997, BMW pulled the 8 Series out of the North American market due to the Persian Gulf War and its effects on the energy price spikes. Production continued in Europe until 1999.

Introduced in 1989, the 850i was the original model with the 5-liter M70B50 engine that produced 300 bhp. The 850i was available with either a 6-speed gearbox or a 4-speed automatic, and was quite possibly the most advanced car available at the time.

Referred to at times as an M8, the new top-of-the-range sports tourer, the 850CSi utilized the same engine as the 850i. Believing that it needed a new engine code, it was modified to include a capacity hike to 5.6 liters and an increase in power up to 380 bhp. An authentic M-car, the 850CSi was produced from August of 1992 until October of 1996, with only a total of 1510 units ever reaching production. From January of 1997 on, stricter emission guidelines were set which ended the development of the 850CSi.

Many new modifications and updates were introduced along with this new model. These included stiffer springs and dampers, wider wheels, and a new modified suspension with reduced ride height, and the options of forged alloys. To enhance aerodynamic performance, the front and rear bumpers were modified accordingly. The old square stainless steel exhaust pipes were replaced with four round pipers. Additional modifications included electro hydraulically operated steering rear axle, called AHK. The only transmission option was the 6-speed manual gearbox.

Production on the BMW ended in late 1996 due to higher emission regulations that were too strict for the S70 engine.

By Jessica Donaldson