Life On Air: John Ludwick Jr’s BMW 700

When you think of air-equipped BMWs, you might picture an F80 M3, or the classic E36 3-series. What you might not be expecting is a BMW 700.

If you’re asking yourself, “What’s a BMW 700,” don’t worry. We were puzzled at first too. But when you learn it’s owned by John Ludwick Jr.—a man who’s got a bit of a reputation for building some properly obscure cars—you know you’re in for a treat before you’ve even laid eyes on it.

The BMW 700 was originally produced between 1959 and 1965 as a small, rear-engine saloon designed for the economy market, and it turned out to be a massive success.

BWM was struggling financially at the time of its launch, but sales of over 188,000 vehicles pretty much saved the company. The 700 was so popular that BMW even took it racing, with the 700RS (which looks just as cool as you’re imagining).

Despite being such a popular car in the ’50s and ’60s, it’s a relatively unknown and unloved car now. But when the right person gets their hands on one, the result is so incredibly special.

From certain angles, the BMW 700 almost looks like a VW Karmann Ghia, mostly because of the lack of signature BMW kidney grills—no need for cooling up front when the engine is in the back…

That’s not a bad thing, though. In fact, this similarity gave John an idea when he decided to save this 700 from the scrap yard.

There’s no ignoring the patina here. It barely looks as though the car is held together. But that’s just how John found the car. The outward appearance is all on purpose, and  don’t for a second think it’s reflected in the rest of the build.