BMW announced today that the final BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe whose paintwork was designed by famed pop artist Jeff Koons sold at auction on April 4. The only one of 99 examples actually signed by the artists, all proceeds from the $475,000 sale went to charity.
The car was sold at Christie’s auction house in New York after intense bidding in the room and online. With the artist present for the sale, it was an extra special event for the collector who eventually won the car.
Proceeds of the sale will go to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), with which Koons has been personally involved for more than 20 years.
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“From the choice of colors to its overall look and use of material my car has a superhero feel to it. Giving to ICMEC and literally saving the lives of children is a superhero endeavor, now more than ever,” said Koons. “I am thrilled that the auction of the car was such a great success! It should encourage anyone to get involved and appreciate the great work foundations are doing globally to make the world a better place.”
The BMW 8 x Jeff Koons is a brightly-hued model that features comic-book imagery and no fewer than 11 different colors on the exterior. Inside, too, the superhero theming continues with seats that could be mistaken for Spiderman. The model was priced at $350,000 (plus a $995 destination fee), which was already a pretty large premium over the standard BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe.
“We at ICMEC are so grateful for the generosity of the winning bidder, BMW, and especially Jeff Koons, whose partnership and support is instrumental in our efforts to help make the world safer for children,” says Bob Cunningham, ICMEC CEO. “The funds raised from this collaboration will help ICMEC respond to the critical challenges children face from the pandemic and forced migration.”
Following its sale, the model will go on tour and will be presented at numerous art fairs and events in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
