Honouring Ken Done’s BMW Art Car Legacy
Recreating Ken Done’s legendary BMW Art Car for a new generation
When BMW Australia set out to celebrate 40 years of the BMW M3 and the rich history of the BMW Art Car Collection, they entrusted Drive Creative with a unique responsibility. Working alongside BMW Australia, we were commissioned to faithfully recreate renowned Australian artist Ken Done’s iconic 1989 BMW Art Car design on a modern BMW M4 GT3 EVO for the Bathurst 12 Hour. It was a project that demanded far more than technical installation—it required absolute respect for one of Australia’s most recognisable pieces of motorsport art.
Originally painted by Ken Done in 1989, the artwork was inspired by the movement and colour of Australian parrots and parrot fish, capturing a sense of speed even while the car was standing still. Our role was to meticulously translate that hand-painted artwork into a modern race-ready livery, ensuring every colour, shape and brushstroke remained true to the original while adapting it to the complex bodywork of today’s GT3 race car. The finished result honoured the legacy of the original Art Car while introducing it to a new generation of motorsport fans, celebrating both 50 years of BMW Art Cars and four decades of the BMW M3
