The Bavarian Motor Works, aka BMW is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. It may not be the oldest automaker out there, but its longstanding history of creating beautiful high-performance vehicles is certainly worth a toast.<br /><br /><em>Scroll through to see CNN Style's highlights from a century of automotive innovation.</em>
The Bavarian Motor Works, aka BMW is celebrating its 100th birthday this year. It may not be the oldest automaker out there, but its longstanding history of creating beautiful high-performance vehicles is certainly worth a toast.

Scroll through to see CNN Style's highlights from a century of automotive innovation.
BMW Group MediaPool/eb.andriuolo
The most famous owner of the highly desirable BMW 507 (1956--1959) was a young American musician by the name of Elvis Presley. He actually owned two of them.
The most famous owner of the highly desirable BMW 507 (1956--1959) was a young American musician by the name of Elvis Presley. He actually owned two of them.
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The fact that only about 250 507's were built has helped push auction prices for mint condition models past the $2 million mark, establishing it as one of the world's most desirable collector cars.
The fact that only about 250 507's were built has helped push auction prices for mint condition models past the $2 million mark, establishing it as one of the world's most desirable collector cars.
RM Sotheby's
The 2002 or 02 Series, built from 1966--1977, has become one of the most beloved affordable modern classics. Fans cite its unerring reliability as a big selling point.
The 2002 or 02 Series, built from 1966--1977, has become one of the most beloved affordable modern classics. Fans cite its unerring reliability as a big selling point.
ranwhenparked.net
The 3.0 CSL (1968--1975) is as appreciated for its beautiful design as its racing prowess. It also became the first of BMW's famed Art Car series when Alexander Calder painted one in 1975.
The 3.0 CSL (1968--1975) is as appreciated for its beautiful design as its racing prowess. It also became the first of BMW's famed Art Car series when Alexander Calder painted one in 1975.
BMW
The M1 (1978--1981) remains one of the most beautiful sports cars ever built, with a design by Italy's legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. We detect the influence of its wedge shape in the ultra-modern i8.
The M1 (1978--1981) remains one of the most beautiful sports cars ever built, with a design by Italy's legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. We detect the influence of its wedge shape in the ultra-modern i8.
RM Sotheby's
The M1 also joined the Art Car club when Andy Warhol gave a racing version of one a Pop Art makeover in 1977. No mere museum piece, the car was entered into competition.
The M1 also joined the Art Car club when Andy Warhol gave a racing version of one a Pop Art makeover in 1977. No mere museum piece, the car was entered into competition.
BMW
Among the BMWs owned by the Classic Car Club Manhattan is an E30 M3, a racing and rallying success in the 1980s and now a modern collectible.
Among the BMWs owned by the Classic Car Club Manhattan is an E30 M3, a racing and rallying success in the 1980s and now a modern collectible.
tech-racingcars.wikidot.com
The BMW Z8 (1999--2003) co-starred with Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond flick "The World is Not Enough" in 1999. The model's collectibility is also on the rise.
The BMW Z8 (1999--2003) co-starred with Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond flick "The World is Not Enough" in 1999. The model's collectibility is also on the rise.
EON Productions
The remarkable, rakish 328 Homage concept revealed in 2011 was created in tribute to the original BMW 328 of the 1930s. A true design triumph it manages to look both retro and futuristic.
The remarkable, rakish 328 Homage concept revealed in 2011 was created in tribute to the original BMW 328 of the 1930s. A true design triumph it manages to look both retro and futuristic.
Thesupermat/Wikipedia
An evolution of the 3 Series, one of BMW's most successful models ever, the new 4 Series was introduced in 2014 and now bridges the gap between the 3 Series and 5 Series.
An evolution of the 3 Series, one of BMW's most successful models ever, the new 4 Series was introduced in 2014 and now bridges the gap between the 3 Series and 5 Series.
BMW
The high performance M2, introduced this year and inspired by BMW's motorsports heritage, has drawn rave reviews. Purists appreciate its relative affordability and the option of a manual transmission.
The high performance M2, introduced this year and inspired by BMW's motorsports heritage, has drawn rave reviews. Purists appreciate its relative affordability and the option of a manual transmission.
BMW
The stunning 3.0 CSL Hommage R, designed by Karim Habib and presented at Pebble Beach last year, is a tribute to the original 1975 12 Hours of Sebring-winning 3.0 CSL known as the "Batmobile."
The stunning 3.0 CSL Hommage R, designed by Karim Habib and presented at Pebble Beach last year, is a tribute to the original 1975 12 Hours of Sebring-winning 3.0 CSL known as the "Batmobile."
BMW
The M6 GTLM is BMW's newest race car, introduced to celebrate the 100th anniversary - and annihilate the competition -- at the hands of factory drivers like Bill Auberlen. So far it's fulfilling the mission.
The M6 GTLM is BMW's newest race car, introduced to celebrate the 100th anniversary - and annihilate the competition -- at the hands of factory drivers like Bill Auberlen. So far it's fulfilling the mission.
BMW
The X6M sits at the pinnacle of BMW's SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) range, which has proven extremely lucrative. BMW pioneered the category with the X5 in 1999.
The X6M sits at the pinnacle of BMW's SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) range, which has proven extremely lucrative. BMW pioneered the category with the X5 in 1999.
BMW
The i8 hybrid supercar, introduced in 2014, went seamlessly from concept to production and remains one of the most fun and attention-getting vehicles we've ever driven.
The i8 hybrid supercar, introduced in 2014, went seamlessly from concept to production and remains one of the most fun and attention-getting vehicles we've ever driven.
BMW
The brand new 7 Series is BMW's most luxurious model, equipped with its most powerful V12 production engine ever in the form of the 2017 BMW M760i xDrive, boasting a whopping 600 hp.
The brand new 7 Series is BMW's most luxurious model, equipped with its most powerful V12 production engine ever in the form of the 2017 BMW M760i xDrive, boasting a whopping 600 hp.
Chris Tedesco/Chris Tedesco/BMW North America
The 7 Series is also the most innovative vehicle in its class, featuring all-new technology like Gesture Control, Wireless Charging and a Display Key that gives you important information before you even take the wheel.
The 7 Series is also the most innovative vehicle in its class, featuring all-new technology like Gesture Control, Wireless Charging and a Display Key that gives you important information before you even take the wheel.
BMW
The luxe interior of the 7 Series just helped it take home the coveted 2016 World Luxury Car Award at the New York International Auto Show. It is equally alluring for driver and passenger.
The luxe interior of the 7 Series just helped it take home the coveted 2016 World Luxury Car Award at the New York International Auto Show. It is equally alluring for driver and passenger.
Chris Tedesco/Chris Tedesco/BMW North America
The new BMW Vision Next 100 Concept is a preview of things to come from the ever-evolving Bavarian brand. Autonomous or not, "in future our aim is to retain the very emotional connection between a BMW and its driver," Karim Habib, head of the BMW Design Team, told CNN.
The new BMW Vision Next 100 Concept is a preview of things to come from the ever-evolving Bavarian brand. Autonomous or not, "in future our aim is to retain the very emotional connection between a BMW and its driver," Karim Habib, head of the BMW Design Team, told CNN.
BMW