24h Le Mans
In 1999, BMW Art Cars entered the prototypes era and American artist Jenny Holtzer transformed the BMW V12 LMR into a rolling political declaration. Through to striking slogans, chrome lettering and fluorescent overlays, the car itself became a message, and its speed a medium for reflection at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The BMW V12 LMR Art Car decorated by Jenny Holzer, commissioned during prequalifying at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, represented a new form of expression in the BMW Art Car series. On the V12 prototype (top speed of 340 kph), the artiste inscribed famous phrases from the Truisms and Survival series, transforming the racing car into a textual and political work of art.
Known for her works projected onto urban facades and monuments, Holzer brought a unique dimension to the BMW Art Car saga in 1999. Her weapon of expression: words. Her goal: to provoke thought. On the BMW V12 LMR's body, she applied statements in reflective chrome lettering and fluorescent overlays to challenge the viewer directly:
Working in a male-dominated field, she stood up for what she believed. Jenny Holzer: I thought it would be nice if women could participate in ways other than just standing around in bikinis. Thanks to Holzer, this Art Car became a work of art, a social message and a feminist manifesto all in one.
The BMW V12 LMR represented the peak of endurance racing technology at the end of the 1990s with a nearly 6-litre V12 engine, 580 hp and a top speed of 340 kph and was designed to conquer the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1999, three V12 LMRs were entered by BMW in prequalifying. The #16 Art Car decorated by Jenny Holzer was entrusted to Joachim Winkelhock and Tom Kristensen.
The car's performance did not disappoint, qualifying in seventh position with a time of 3:34.493 and showing real potential for the big race. Unfortunately, BMW's sporting strategy required withdrawing the Art Car to focus its efforts on the two other official prototypes.
Though Holzer's BMW V12 LMR did not take the start in the 1999 24 Hours, it left a lasting impression in Art Car history. Twist of fate: the #15 BMW sister car driven by Joachim Winkelhock, Pierluigi Martini and Yannick Dalmas won that 67th running of the race.
Thanks to Holzer's V12 LMR, BMW's Art Cars saga entered a new chapter. Artistic expression was no longer limited to colour or form: it questioned and challenged, all at more than 300 kph. Even without having participated the race, this Art Car remains one of the most conceptual in the history of Le Mans.
To celebrate Rétromobile's 50th anniversary and the half-century mark of BMW Art Cars, the 2026 show will present a special exhibition in France from 28 January to 1 February. The seven BMW Art Cars seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be brought together at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, including none other than Jenny Holzer's BMW V12 LMR.
