1982 BMW 323i Baur

1982 BMW 323i Baur
Memorial Day 2010 First Drive 1982 323i BMW Baur Lapisblau M20 5 speed #4154 of 4595 made. The car was imported to California by Dietel Enterprises. I have since changed the wheels, installed the clear turn signal lenses, and I am in the process of installing a new cabriolet roof. I have to do something about those bumpers, too. :) I love this car! To see one of the reasons why, check my post "Score One For the Good Guys" on 6/26/2011.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

BMW 700 Convertible by Baur Sold on Ebay This Week: $30,200!!

Here is a beautiful 1962 BMW 700 Convertible by Baur that was recently sold on ebay!  $30,200!  Wow!  It is a beauty!  Thanks to Bob Kaufmann for sending me the link to the ad!

I post this here to share that great news, but also to share the excellent write-up that accompanied the auction!  If you are curious to learn more about the BMW 700, this may be a good place to start!  Enjoy, and congrats to the buyer and seller!  Gorgeous car!


 My goodness!  ;)  
Yes, you are looking at a trunk-mounted 697cc motorcycle engine!  40 horsepower!  I love it!  


Item specifics

 
Condition:UsedVIN (Vehicle Identification Number): 780222
Year: 1962Engine: 697cc Flat Twin
Make: BMWDrive Type: RWD
Model: 

Other

Mileage: 43,000
Trim: Baur ConvertibleVehicle Title: Clear
The text from the listing:
"I am EXTREMELY excited to offer for a sale this beautiful 1962 BMW 700 Baur Convertible!  It has been well cared for, drives wonderfully and looks absolutely stunning in Navy Blue over Red and Black.  This is a long ad, but please be sure to read the entire thing - there is a lot of wonderful detail to cover!  Let's dive right in!

Background:

General Background:
Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and commissioned by Wolfgang Denzel, the BMW 700 was based on a lengthened BMW 600 chassis.  Denzel presented a prototype to BMW's management in July 1958. The concept, a 2-door coupe with a slanted roof, was generally well received, but objections were raised about the limited passenger space.BMW decided to produce two versions, the coupe, and a 2-door sedan with a taller, longer roof.

The engineer responsible for the chassis and suspension was Willy Black, who had designed and engineered the 600. The drivetrain and suspension were similar to those of the 600, with a rear mounted flat twin engine powering the rear wheels, leading arm suspension at the front, and semi trailing suspension at the rear. The 700 used a steel monocoque structure, and was the first BMW automobile to do so. The engine was an enlarged version of that used in the R67 motorcycle and the 600. The engine originally used a single Solex 34PCI carburetor and had a compression ratio of 7.5:1, resulting in a power output of 30 horsepower . 

The first variant of the 700 to appear after the original coupe and saloon was the 700 Sport in August 1960. Available only as a coupe, the Sport used an uprated engine with a pair of Solex carburetors and a 9.0:1 compression ratio. This brought the power output to 40 horsepower. The Sport also had a rear sway bar and a ribbed oil pan was used to reduce the oil temperature of the more powerful engine.


So let's get into the Convertible: 
The 700 Cabriolet was introduced shortly after the 700 Sport, and was available only with the Sport's 40 horsepower engine.. The convertible body was made by Karosserie Baur of Stuttgart. Only 2,592 convertibles were built and very few remain!    This was really the last on an era with the introduction of the larger BMWs after the 700.  20 years after WWII, you can imagine what a little convertible like the 700 felt like to drive.  It wasn't the 327, 507, or 501.  It was a peppy little car for the average German and saved BMW from collapse or buy-out through being a great success.

We purchased the car from a BMW factory employee and (obvious) enthusiast a few years ago.  He had restored the car using factory parts, and whereas it is not 100% factory, it is pretty darn close.  He took time to make sure the correct dual breather air cleaner as well as other little details were in place.  He owned and enjoyed the car for well over 10 years.    It came time for him to clear out some space and cash and thankfully he sold the car to us to enjoy. 

This 700 is part of a major private collection featuring some very significant marques.  It has been cared for in house and kept in ready to drive condition by a large team.  It sits beside many other rare and collectible BMW within the collection.  This car is part of a greater enjoyment and celebration of all things BMW, not just a one off purchase. 

The Condition and Service:

Let's start on the engine and drivetrain:

-ENGINE
The engine comes to life immediately with a twist of the key.  With even a crack of the throttle it, the BMW feels peppy, smooth, loves to rev, and effortlessly pulls away!  It really is a quite a special little engine.  The engine is free of any issues, shows no major (or really any) leaks.  Engine settles into idle quickly and idles well. 

Check out the engine bay pics!  Clean, tidy and well cared!

-TRANSMISSION
The 4 speed transmission is in nice shape.  NO grinds, NO syncro issues.  Snug going into each gear.

-SUSPENSION
No bangs, no rough ride, no clunks! The shocks dampen wonderfully!  The car is tight in corners, and comfortable on the straights!  

-BRAKES
Confident pedal, great pressure with a firm positive stop. 

-STEERING
Steering feels good, tight and with no excessive vibrations or play.

Let's continue to the exterior:

-PAINT and BODY
The paint is VERY nice!  It is a 8+/9- out of 10 easily.  Shiny, beautiful, Navy Blue paint was recently polished, finished and waxed and looks wonderful.    It is not the original color, which was white, but has been completely dissembled and painted.  No corners cut.  Why paint it a different color?  Just personal preference.  The white original is not much a flattering color for the car, and it was best felt a darker color looked better on the car.  I can find NO rust on the car.  Clean trunk, floors, shock towers, cowl, etc.  Flaws are very minor at best and would represent a car that was well cared for, but enjoyed.

-WHEELS/TIRES
Great shape wheel covers, wheels and tires. Shiny metal on the wheel covers and loads of tread on the tires! 

-BUMPERS and BRIGHT WORK
The bumpers are in wonderful shape! No dents, cracks or issues!  Chrome is nice all around the car with only minor flaws.

-GLASS/WINDOWS
Not to let a pebble defeat this car, the windshield is great shape, with no chips or sandblasting.  The door glass is wonderful shape!  Clear and clean! 

-CONVERTIBLE TOP
Very nice shape, no tears or frays.  Clear plastic back window.  The top latches/unlatches easily and goes up and down straight.  Convertible top boot is in great shape and included!

Onto the cabin:
-SEATS
The Red seats are in very nice shape!  No splits, no worn spots! A button tufting is in great shape,  and rear seat in equally good shape. 

-DASHBOARD
Nice metal, some light patina on the trim.  Great leather under the dash.  The dash pad is in nice shape with no cracks, but it is a bit too padded and hangs little too far under the lip.  It sags a bit there.  Nothing major, but not perfect either.   A rpm gauge has been added the steering column.

-DOOR PANELS
Very nice panels, no stains, tears or issues!

-CARPET
Very nice carpet in the car!  No heel wear or stains! 

-WINDOWS
Windows roll down and up with no issues.  Good tracks and no dead rollers.  

-STEERING WHEEL
The wheel is in great shape with no major defects or cracking! 


The Experience:
This 700 is a treat to drive. It is tight, very comfortable, very quick, nimble and smooth.   It has all the power it had from the factory and cruises along happily at speed of traffic.  It is so easy to fall in love with this BMW.  One twist of the key and she is humming along with her great flat-twin noise.  Press the gas and she growls!  She revs up easy and with a little gas you are motoring along, top down, really enjoying the last of an era for BMW.  With the 2002 cars, this BMW was really one of the last economy cars from BMW.  While the newer BMW bring a new and wonderful feel to the brand, the older cars represented a sense of economic recovery and fortitude for the average German, not just a 507 for the lucky.   And it carried through in the experience to drive - it is just so hard to frown when driving this little car.   This really is a very special car to drive and with the ongoing care within the collection, it is a worry free BMW, ready to be enjoyed for the second half of summer and fall!  These convertibles are exceedingly rare with only a few popping up for sale each year and often not in the US.   This is an important car for any BMW collection or collector.  Without it, BMW would have likely been folded into Daimler-Benz and the brand we know and love would cease to exist.  It is a great car to bridge the gap in a collection between early and modern cars, or explore more of the brand or to just flat out drop the top and enjoy!

This 700 is being sold with NO RESERVE: bid knowing you will go home with a gorgeous car!  But please bid only if you intend to buy!  There are increasing amounts of vanishing bidders upon winning on eBay which makes it very hard to continue to offer cars with no reserve.  If your brother owes you money from 1986 and the check is coming any day or you got tapped at a red light by a guy in a Mercedes and you know your big payday is coming, it's best you sit this one (or any auction) out.   We, collectively as ebay sellers, beg you. 

Feel free to ask me any questions at all.  Residents around the country I am happy to be flexible for your arranged shipper so that you can get your new car as soon as possible.  

My standard disclaimer/mantra for any car regardless of service or price: The car is sold with no warranty.  You are buying a used car.  Eventually every car will break, if you find one that doesn't please let me know.  I do my ABSOLUTE BEST to offer only cars that are of TOP NOTCH service.  I am not a dealer, just a guy who loves BMW (among other cars) and hope to pass along my passion and fervor for these cars.  That said if ever you encounter an issue I do my best to provide advice, direction or even parts if I have them.  Please understand that it is a used car and will have minor signs of use.  That means please do not expect a showroom brand new car. Please adjust your expectation level to that of a 40+ year old car, but however is WELL above average for it's year/miles.   This is very nice condition for a BMW of this year, but please just remember that no 40 year old car is perfect.  It is though a great BMW!  Please only bid if you intend to buy.  If you would like to have an Ebay 3rd party mechanic service check out the car I MORE than welcome it.  Please have the car checked out BEFORE bidding and not after, if you intend to use that service.  And please, if you would like to utilize this service, contact me with more than a couple days left in the auction so we can arrange schedules.  Please check your local laws and registration procedures before buying.  Buying over the internet can be scary sometimes!  I get it, because I am an enthusiast too!!  For that very reason, I am more than happy to answer every and any question you may so you know 100% what you are buying.  But, please ask any and all questions ahead of purchase!  All sales are final, you are buying as-is, the sky is blue, etc, etc. Sorry to have to give the boring speech.
Please feel free to ask any and all questions!!"


OK, tons more pics!





















I love this old school door handle!   







 What?   Ignition on the transmission hump?  SAABs do this.  




 Finned differential! 









http://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-BMW-Other-/252064352223?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3ab034c7df&item=252064352223&nma=true&si=E2f8TL3P33Y3Mc5q9689Qb%252F8P7Q%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Congrats to both the buyer and seller, and thanks again to Bob Kaufman for sending the link!  Fantastic!

No comments:

Post a Comment