There are several unusual vehicles that make the rounds in museums and events across America. Called “death cars,” all have been involved in the demise of celebrities or folk heroes — from James Dean and Jayne Mansfield to Bonnie and Clyde. Generally, none can be driven, but our Pick of the Day can. This 1996 BMW 750iL is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Las Vegas.
BMW’s 7 Series has been around since 1977 (E23), but the template for the way we see the model today did not appear until the 1987 model year. Notable were BMW’s insistence on using round headlights, the overbite of the trunk lid (which looks like it’s partially covering the amber turn signals), and BMW’s first V-12. With a new Jaguar XJ and old Mercedes S-Class competing in the segment, the E32 BMW upped the ante on what we could expect from a full-size luxury car — that is, until the advent of the Lexus LS400.
For 1995, BMW redesigned the 7 Series, with the E38 produced through 2001. This time, it was a moment for evolution as BMW exploited the restrained strengths and successes of the E32, including fine proportions and little overhang. The headlights remained round, though now they were hidden behind a glass enclosure. Out back, the rear light cluster was made more conventional, lacking the drama of the previous look. A facelift arrived for 1998 and included revised headlights, widened twin-kidney grille, clear parking light lenses, and revised taillight lenses, but the 7 Series remained a paragon of restraint.
From the beginning, the E38 was available with a straight-six, V-8, and V-12, plus a diesel straight-six appeared the following year. Though it’s easy to assume they all had automatic transmissions, the rest of the world (outside America) had the option of a five-speed manual with certain sixes and eights, and a six-speed manual with the 4.0-liter V-8.
The next-generation 7 Series was a departure. This E65 became known for being Bangle-ized and electronic-ized (especially with iDrive), eliciting passionate declarations from the BMW faithful that the company had lost its way.
By the badge on the trunk lid, you can tell this 1996 BMW 750iL is a long-wheelbase model powered by a V-12. What you can’t tell is that this Bimmer is a death car. Following a Mike Tyson boxing match in 1996, Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight was driving Tupac when a car pulled up alongside them at a stoplight and opened fire. Tupac was struck four times, which led to his death six days later. “This marks the first time the vehicle has ever been offered for sale or publicly displayed since Tupac Shakur’s death in 1996,” says the seller. “The car has undergone a comprehensive restoration to return it to the condition it was in prior to the shooting and has recently received a fresh coat of paint.” Despite the restoration, there is “a small exterior indentation believed to correspond with one of the bullet impact points.”
The new owner will receive documentation verifying the vehicle’s ownership and historical provenance. If you’re a hip-hop fan and have a shrine to the late rap legend, then we cannot think of a better item to add to it — just be sure to shell out $1,750,000 for the honor.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com