THE WUNDERCAR COLLECTION
CONCOURS SPECIAL FEATURE EXHIBIT
A truly rare experience awaits guests of the Concours of Elegance Germany this summer: for the first time ever, the Wundercar Collection will be presented as a complete ensemble of four extraordinary vehicles — a one-of-a-kind gathering of design, vision, and emotion.
Created by Frankfurt-based lawyer and art patron Christian Zschocke, the Wundercar Collection is not only a tribute to BMW’s iconic E3 series, but a deeper exploration into the emotional and artistic power of automobiles. Each car was built under his direction to express a unique human emotion — art, elegance, racing, sport, and leisure — inviting visitors to connect with the less technical, more soulful dimensions of mobility.
Central to the collection is NEW HORIZON, a project born from Christian’s belief in the power of ambition:
“I would love to see even more courage, more positive endeavors, more freedom. And that everyone sets his own horizons and goals.”
Inspired by BMW’s bold move with the E3 — a daring leap into the future in the late 1960s
— NEW HORIZON encourages people to define and pursue their own paths.
The collection also includes The California, The Group 1, The Inka, and The Vision Paul Bracq
— each showcasing a distinctive take on beauty, heritage, and innovation. All Wundercars are based on the legendary BMW E3 platform, powered by M30 six-cylinder engines.
Having already been celebrated at art fairs, motor shows, museums, and international concours from Miami to Los Angeles, the Wundercar Collection now arrives at Lake Tegernsee — offering a rare moment for enthusiasts to see these bold expressions of automotive artistry united in one place.
A special feature not to be missed this July 25th and 26th at the Concours of Elegance Germany and an unforgettable highlight for collectors and dreamers alike.
INTERVIEW:
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH DR. CHRISTIAN ZSCHOCKE
What is the Wundercar Collection, if you had to describe it in a few sentences?
CZ: The Wundercar Collection is a collection of automotive emotions — a museum on wheels (“Emotion on Wheels”).
Why did you focus on the BMW E3 series?
CZ: The E3 embodies the idea of the “New Horizon” — the act of setting and achieving new personal challenges. That’s exactly what the E3 engineers did, and they succeeded in reaching their goals. The New Horizon is meant to inspire the same.
What kind of connection do you have to your vehicles, and would you ever sell one?
CZ: Each vehicle is a custom-designed one-off, so of course, there’s a special bond with each one.
What has been your most beautiful experience with the Wundercar Collection?
CZ: That the Wundercars have managed to win over audiences all over the world — no matter where they were exhibited, whether in Europe or the USA. They clearly enrich the viewer and perhaps even inspire their own New Horizons. At Art Miami in Florida, the New Horizon was, according to the organizers, the most photographed artwork of the entire fair.
You converted an E3 into a cabriolet — how complex was that transformation?
CZ: Strictly speaking, the converted E3 is called The California, since it has no roof. Creating this one-off required several thousand hours of work.
The New Horizon has a name with special meaning. What inspired this vehicle?
CZ: As mentioned earlier, the New Horizon is meant to encourage a positive attitude toward one’s own future. To do so, it brings the spirit of 1969 — a year of bold new beginnings, like the moon landing — into the present day.
The New Horizon is inspired by the legendary BMW Art Cars. How did the unique paintwork on your E3 come about?
CZ: The New Horizon follows its own independent concept of a time-travel narrative and is therefore distinct from the contemporary BMW Art Cars. The one-of-a-kind multi-layered paintwork is the work of Walter Maurer, an internationally renowned paint artist who has also painted several official BMW Art Cars.
Is the Wundercar Collection complete, or are you working on new ideas?
CZ: The collection will be completed with The Vision — a 2+2 shooting brake designed by former BMW chief designer Paul Bracq, currently in its final phase of construction. The Vision represents the emotion of “Leisure.”
What emotions do you hope to evoke in the people who view your vehicles?
CZ: Each Wundercar represents a distinct emotion: Art (The New Horizon), Elegance (The California), Sport (The Inka), Racing (The Group 1), and Leisure (The Vision).
Why is your exclusive collection a good fit for the Concours of Elegance at Lake Tegernsee?
CZ: The Wundercar Collection is completely unique and fits perfectly with the high-level Tegernsee Concours and its equally discerning and interested audience.