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BMW roadsters: An exclusive behind the scenes look at XCAR's epic shoot (pictures)

XCAR recently filmed six BMW roadsters from the '30s to the present day. Take an exclusive look behind the scenes at how we captured it on film.

Drew Stearne
For over 16 years Drew has been producing video content on technology, video games and entertainment but now spends his days looking at, talking about, or indeed driving, fast cars.
Drew Stearne
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As some of the cars, like the 1938 BMW 328 and the 1957 BMW 507 here, were too valuable to drive to our track location, they needed to be trailered in. It was extremely exciting to see the doors open up.

This is a behind the scenes gallery. You can also view the gallery of just the cars, or watch the video we shot that day.

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We immediately took the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the million-dollar 507.

This is a behind the scenes gallery. You can also view the gallery of just the cars, or watch the video we shot that day.

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For the opening shots, the cars had to be carefully lined up, a quick chance to find out where all the vastly different controls were on each car. With a range from the mid-'30s to present day, it was a fresh challenge trying to find reverse gear in each car.
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The spiritual successor to the 507 was the Z8. The exterior had some definite similarity, but the interior of the Z8 definitely set itself apart.
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The 327 was the oldest car on the day, still running amazingly well at over 75 years. Here Nick carefully guides Drew into the precise spot for the opening shots. In the background cameraman Gareth looks on in horror as the priceless cars inch closer and closer together.
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Cameraman Ben preps the RED camera for the day. Note the box of cups of tea on the ground. We are a British crew, after all.
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One of our crew cars on the day was a trusty Ford Ranger, pictured here full to the brim with gear.
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It's all hands on deck; here, Drew helps out rigging the job before getting back in front of the camera.
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Alex looks on, taking in the sight of all these great cars all lined up.
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... but soon enough more muscle is needed and it's now Alex's turn to help lug the gear.
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With the cars all lined up, we're ready to start shooting.
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While the crew start getting their shots, Drew and Alex talk over some last-minute script ideas.
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There they are, almost 80 years of automotive history. We knew we very lucky guys and that this was going to be a good day.
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The low-angle slider shot has become a staple of automotive filming in recent years.
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Just as fine from this angle as from the front.
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Our second crew car for the day, the Land Rover Freelander.
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Drew can't keep his hands off the equipment and tries out a jib shot or two.
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Nick prides himself on being able to do this on his own. For Alex, Drew, and Phil, it's a three-man job.
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Plugging in the mice to start presenter takes.

This is a behind the scenes gallery. You can also view the gallery of just the cars, or watch the video we shot that day.

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Blocking for the opening presenter shots. This shot ended up being dropped in the final edit.
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You'd be smiling, too, if you were about to take these cars out on the track.
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The RED camera added a cinematic quality to the overall film.
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This shot proved to be too complicated to work and was simplified for the final edit.

Watch the video we shot that day.

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Nick gets some track time in the 328, the only true race car out of the lineup.
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The interior of the 507 really does take you back to a time long gone.
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Nick really felt he had to walk deep into the infield to get this shot.
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When you have a modern V8, it would be rude not to put your foot down.
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This was a take for engine sound. Note the wire connected to the mic near the exhaust.
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Our sliders are some of our most-used tools.
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The new Z4 might not be a classic yet, but it's one hell of a car.
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Drew doesn't look convinced Nick is going to be able to stay in the car like that when they go around corners.
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Time to give it a go, though. It's OK, Nick didn't fall out.
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Our home for the day and one of our favourite places to shoot.
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Nick had been sat on the back rest of the front seat until Drew put his foot down and Nick fell back into the rear seats. Drew found this most humorous.
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Nick was less impressed.
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Taken from the front seat of the tracking car, we can see cameraman, Ben, filming Drew in the 507.
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This is the closing discussion between Alex and Drew in cars separated by a World War, borderline bankruptcy, a split, and re-unification of Germany and the entire digital revolution.
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It's hard not to be happy after driving one of the best-looking cars of all time.
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Alex was in no mood for anyone to take the Z8 away from him.
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Drew impatiently looks on as Nick fits the ubiquitous GoPro camera before he can go back out on the track.
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Drew is asking if he looks cool; he didn't like the answer Nick gave him.
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Seeing the cars getting loaded back onto the trailer was a sad sight.
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The crew, from left, Production Assistant Phil, Presenter Alex, Presenter and Executive Producer Drew, Cameraman Ben, Director Nick, and Cameraman Gareth. Not pictured, photographer, Roo.

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