Acronym for Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian motor manufacturer), BMW first made a name for itself in aeronautics. Its first notable result in motorsports was symptomatic of its approach: an immediate identification between competition and road usage by entering series cars.

1939 - The beautiful BMW 328 achieved a remarkable group effort in the top 10 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year. Fifth overall, Hans Wenscher and Prince Paul zu Schaumburg Lippe also won in the 2-liter class. Their teammates Pau Heinemann-Ralph Röse and Rudolf Scholtz-Willy Brien finished seventh and ninth respectively.

1973 - One year after its return to Le Mans, BMW won another class victory with the 3.0 CSL driven by the Austrian Dieter Quester and the New Zealander Toine Hezemans, 11th overall.

1975 - At the initiative of auctioneer and gentleman-driver Hervé Poulain, BMW became involved in "Art Cars" at Le Mans with competiton cars decorated by modern artists. American painter Alexander Calder was the first with the 3.0 CSL driven by Poulain and Jean Guichet, winner at the 24 Hours in 1964, and American driver Sam Posey.

1977 - The 320i turbo decorated by Roy Lichtenstein was the first BMW "Art Car" to cross the finish line at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in ninth place for Poulain and Marcel Mignot.

1979 - Along with the German Manfred Winkelhock, BMW factory driver, the two aforementioned Frenchmen clinched the best result for an "Art Car" with sixth place at the wheel of an M1 decorated by Andy Warhol.

1982 - Pink Floyd drummer and selective collector, Nick Mason took the third of his five starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the BMW M1, but was forced to retire.

The 1990s were full of battles for the overall win, don't miss those key dates in the next installment of this saga.

Photo: In 1939, the 328 gave BMW its first top 5 finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its next appearance wouldn't take place until 1972.