For almost 40 years, BMW has offered some of their top models to world-renowned artists and let them use it as their own mobile canvas.

Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Alexander Calder, and others have each had the chance to put their own unique spin on some of BMWs most recognizable models.

In 1975, French racecar driver Hervé Poulain started the tradition when he asked American artist and friend Alexander Calder to paint the BMW 3.0CSL that he drove at Le Mans that year. (via The New York Times).

Since that first car, there have been 17 official Art Cars made across the model range by artists from around the world. There are also cars that are not in the official timeline that we would still include as members of the Art Car tradition.

Originally, the Art Cars were limited to models that were participating in BMW's various racing activities around the world. However, over time the breadth of the selection has expanded to include cars that had no motorsport involvement whatsoever.

As the canvas, the Art Cars were used to express speed, emotions, or the history of the artist's home country. Each car is a unique work of art that needs to be examined closely to be fully appreciated.