George Carlin’s Super-rare BMW 850Ci Up for Grabs
One of only 363 produced, this remarkable BMW 850Ci also remained in the collection of one very famous owner its entire life. Until now!
Fans of comedy undoubtedly know the name George Carlin, one of the most influential funnymen of all time. With a knack for dark comedy and a razor-sharp tongue, Carlin enjoyed a tremendous career spanning decades. But as it turns out, the comic also had a thing for rare Bimmers. Specifically, this stupendous 1996 BMW 850Ci, one of only 363 North American examples equipped with the 5.4-liter M73 V12. And now, that very car is up for grabs over at Bring a Trailer.
Carlin’s business partner purchased the car new, yet the comedian was the sole operator until he passed in 2008. Finished in appropriate (given Carlin’s dark comic style) Schwarz Black over Nappa Black leather, the E31 is in remarkable and original condition. Save for an aftermarket stereo and ’90s-tastic 18-inch Racing Dynamics 5-spoke deep dish wheels, of course.
The BMW 850Ci came with some pretty impressive kit for its time, fitting for a guy who did a whopping 14 stand up specials on HBO alone. Electronic Damper Control (EDC), lumbar support, and an electric memory steering wheel among its niceties. But the star of the show is what lies under the hood. The glorious V12 pumps out 322 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque, backed up by a 5-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
Carlin’s daughter, Kelly Carlin, took possession of the car after his passing, meaning this is truly a one-family ride. She proceeded to add 11,000 miles to the odometer, but it still reads a mere 79k. Even if you take away the fact that this car belonged to a guy who most consider a top 5 all-time comic, it’s still a pretty remarkable ride.
‘My dream is that it lands in the hands of someone who will enjoy the car, and of course, get a real kick out of the provenance.’
“As you can imagine, this process is a bit emotional for me,” says Carlin, “but it is time for this baby to find a new home. My dream is that it lands in the hands of someone who will enjoy the car, and of course, get a real kick out of the provenance.”
But considering the fact that this clean Bimmer was owned by a guy who once famously (and accurately) quipped, “Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going faster is a maniac?” we think it’s worth just a little bit more!
