Meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger for the BMW Group Classic podcast "Classic Heart" was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon. Not just because of the stories he shared, the humor, or the cigars we smoked together on his terrace – but because of the dream-like setting in Los Angeles and the car that brought it all together. Our meeting took place at Arnold Schwarzenegger's home in Los Angeles, nestled in the hills of Brentwood, where we reunited the Hollywood hero and former Governor of California with a classic, white BMW 1600 – just like the one that marked the start of his personal American dream.
Growing up, Arnold Schwarzenegger was larger than life for me. Whether it was Terminator, Twins, or Total Recall – his movies were a huge part of my childhood and, of course, pop culture of the 1980s and 1990s. 'Arnie' was the unstoppable action hero, the comedian with perfect timing, the man who made the impossible look easy. So, to finally sit down with him – not on the seat of a movie theatre, but in real life, at his home – was kind of surreal for me.
Our meeting for the recording our the BMW Classic podcast ‘Classic Heart’ took place at his villa in the hills of Brentwood, California. Earlier that day, we had reunited him with a white BMW 1600 – similar to the car he drove when he first came to America. Naturally, Arnold and I couldn’t resist taking it for a drive around the neighborhood. As we cruised through the winding streets, memories of the first car he owned in the U.S. came flooding back. There was one story, in particular, that stuck with me: Arnold and three fellow bodybuilders packed into this tiny BMW, driving through Los Angeles, turning heads – not just because of the car, but because of the sheer size of its passengers. This image alone was priceless.
The drive was already filled with laughter and casual conversation about cars and life, but once we returned, the atmosphere became even more relaxed: we moved to Arnold’s terrace, where we were joined by his beloved animals – a little pig named Schnelli, his miniature horse, and his donkey, all casually roaming around as we talked. In our conversation Arnold shared memories of his incredible life journey – from growing up in a small village in Austria to conquering Hollywood and America. It was nothing short of inspiring. We spoke about his career, his relentless drive, his views on environmental challenges, and, of course, his love for cars. His knowledge spans far beyond Hollywood and bodybuilding – he’s deeply interested in the future of mobility, too.
The time during our conversation felt like it was flying past – easy when two car enthusiasts enjoy a quiet moment on a terrace. The experience was pleasantly surreal, and a true highlight in my career. Because when else do you get to drive a classic BMW with Arnold Schwarzenegger before sitting back, cigar in hand, listening to his stories, surrounded by a tiny pig, a horse, and a donkey?
If you want to hear the whole story, listen to the full episode of the ‘Classic Heart’ podcast or watch the video at the top of the article.
