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, October 31, 2015

Spotting Baurs at SoCal Vintage 2015 October 31, 2015



UPDATE:  November 1, 2015:  Thanks to Otwoprincess Lisa for posting.... the most Famous 1600 Baur Cabrio in the world today....  the Carl Nelson/Katy Perry 1600*!




































This is hot off the press, folks!  Thanks to our friend and fellow Baur owner Amir Kadric, we have some Baur pics from today's SoCal Vintage.... which is still going on as I write this!  Thanks, Amir!

First we have this well-known Baur:  Baur #3374!  It is one of the original 25 BMW Baurs imported to North America by BMW----22 of which went to Canada!  So this is one of only 3 E21 Baurs imported to the US.  It has been modified and restored, so it is no longer a 320i. It is a monster!  Formerly owned by our friend Eric B., who had it modified by Castro Motorsports.  It is reported to be SCARY fast, a fitting description for today ..... Hallowe'en!

This Baur was for sale last year for .... wait for it:  $29,000!  Here is a link to our post about that*.  

And it for sale now!
;)

















Thank you, Amir!   Enjoy the show!

*http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2014/12/1982-e21-bmw-323i-baur-one-of-kind.html

Amir sent us a pic of another Baur he spotted today:  M1 by Baur!


Nice find, Amir!  Good work!

*The Most Famous Baur Cabrio in the World!  
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/06/carl-nelson-and-his-1600-cabriolet-aug.html

Friday, October 30, 2015

A Baurspotting Hallowe'en!

Happy Hallowe'en from Baurspotting!
Pumpkin Pic from Connecticut Valley Chapter Haunted Fall Picnic 2013!  ;)

For your listening enjoyment!  Johnny Fuller Haunted House:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kLRxLW0leA







Some Hallowe'en BMWs!




 This is the Hallowe'en interior of the Hallowe'en BMW below.




Happy Hallowe'en!  ;)

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

1985 BMW 323 Baur TC Convertible Project in Pennsylvania

I stumbled on this sad project tonight after doing a search for a 12 string guitar on craigs list.   (I just noticed that this is the same TC2 that was sent to us by our friend, Rick Oppedisano back on October 19th, btw.  We had posted it then on our Facebook page.  Thanks Rick!)














The seller's comments are very telling:
"1985 323 BMW Convertible. Rebuilt title. Will start on ether. Floors are rotted out. $1,600 obo."

OK.  Yikes.  Rebuilt title:   Strike one.   Floors are rotted out:  strike two.  Are you familiar with the game of baseball?  ;)  Strike three and you are OUT!   So it runs, but it needs ether to start.  I wouldn't say that that is a plus exactly, but that issue is at least workable.  The engine is not frozen.     

The rebuilt title usually means that it has been hit and rebuilt.  Some states refer to that as a "Salvage Title".  Suffice it to say that this is NOT a good selling point.  

On the other hand, it is a convertible;  the 323i is another rare find that was not available here in the US;   it is an E30, arguably one of the best cars that BMW built;  and because it is a Baur Top Cabriolet, it is a car that represents a near-forgotten piece of automotive history and it is destined to be a collectible. 

Is it worth saving?  Yes, of course.... but I am biased!  :)  

This car needs a dedicated Baur enthusiast who will buy it cheap, get it running and safe, then take some time to address whatever rust issues it presents.   And then he/she will own a wonderful, fun cabrio that has a story to tell about automotive history.   

Don't forget:  there is already a TC2 Baur in the largest Automobile Museum Collection in the US:  the Lemay Family Collection in Tacoma, WA.  

And, btw, I bought the guitar!    "Stay tuned" now takes on a whole new meaning!  ;)

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Nice 2002 Cabrio Targa Restoration in the UK!

Congrats to Matt Rawlinson of the UK for getting this Cabrio Targa by Baur back on the road!

Here is Mark's comment:
"Two year off the road my ex donor car, eBay bargain, has: new paint, engine rebuild and interior sorted. She's not perfect but the last remaining right hand drive 76 targa rises from the ashes to ride again."



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153662241522888&set=pcb.887478888010971&type=3&theater

Lookin' good, Matt!  Congrats and welcome to Baurspotting!


Saturday, October 17, 2015

Small Baur World Redux: David Allan Shoots A Video of A 2002 Voll Cabrio in PA!

Our friend David Allan shot this video of a sharp-looking red Voll Cabrio on the highway in Pennsylvania today. As soon as he posted it, I recognized it!  That Baur was formerly owned by Ed Ullom.  It is the 1600/2002tii that was for sale at Carlisle** last year!   I saw it in person at Ullom's Bullenstall Museum in Mechanicsburg, PA  back in 2011!

This is a screen shot from David's video.  A man can be seen driving and there is a woman in the passenger seat.

Small Baur World! Here is the very same car in  a pic that I took at Ed Ullom's Bullenstall Museum in Mechanicsburg, PA back in 2011.  It was originally a 1600 the Ullom converted into a 2002tii.  Note the rims, the fog lights and the front license plate.  Same car!  ;)  Way to go, David!  Kudos!

 Baurspotting has previously done several posts on this Baur*.  Check out the links below!  


But here is David's video:  Enjoy!  
https://www.facebook.com/david.schauers/videos/vb.100001045781821/1051684608209722/?type=2&theater&notif_t=video_reply

Here are a couple of David's comments accompanying the post:

"A nice BMW "02" enjoying the cool weather up north.....  I followed it for a few miles until I had to take my exit. Honked and gave him a thumbs up. ..... I knew it had to be a 5 speed it was doing 70mph plus the whole time."

More pics from our files:  
 Pics from Ultimate Klasse.
 http://ultimateklasse.com/blog/2013/5/26/ed-ulloms-bullenstall-museum






































These two pics were sent to us by our friend Collin Madison Blackburn (and his friend David at the Carlisle Fairgrounds who actually took the pics).  

https://www.facebook.com/david.schauers/videos/vb.100001045781821/1051684608209722/?type=2&theater&notif_t=video_reply

* Previous Baurspotting posts on this Voll Cabrio:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2011/08/roaming-baur-more-pics-from-bullenstall.html


**http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2014/07/ed-ulloms-two-baurs-going-to-carlisle.html

Who is Ed Ullom?  Winner of the BMW "Friend of the Marque" Award!
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/11/baur-owner-ed-ullom-wins-bmw-friend-of.html

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2014/09/ed-ulloms-two-baurs-at-carlisle-auction.html

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2015/05/ed-ulloms-16002002tii-voll-cabrio.html



Great car, great video/pics, great Team Baur effort on all counts!  Thanks again, David for spotting and posting it for us to enjoy! 

Baurspotter of the Week Award to David Allan for catching this action shot video!
That award, with the addition of about two bucks--- of your own hard-earned cash--- , will get you a doppio at any local Starbucks, David!

Enjoy, and thank you again!  ;)




Saturday, October 10, 2015

Goggomobils (and their Kin) At Larz Anderson German Car Day Today!

I attended the German Car Day today with my friend and fellow Baur owner, Afonso, at one of my favorite venues, the Larz Anderson Automobile Museum in Brookline, MA.  (We were the only Baurs there, btw!)  If you have never visited this Museum, stop what you are doing, get out the calendar for next year, and plan a visit.  In addition to their Featured Marque car shows on the lawn every weekend during the season, they have a different featured exhibition in the Main Hall every year, as well as their phenomenal in-house Larz Anderson Collection on the lower level.  That collection contains what may well be my single most favorite car EVER, btw!   And no, I am not telling which one it is!  You are going to have to go look for yourself!

But today we are talking about the Goggomobils (and their Kin) at the Larz Anderson German Car Day! Wow!  These cars made my day!  I have never seen a Goggomobile in person before!  I loved it!


OK.  If you are not familiar with the Goggomobil, here is a little capsule summary and a link for more info:
Goggomobil was a series of microcars produced in the Bavarian town Dingolfing after World War II by Glas.
Glas produced three models on the Goggomobil platform: the Goggomobil T sedan, the Goggomobil TS coupé, and the Goggomobil TL van. The engine was an air-cooled, two-stroke, two-cylinder unit originally displacing 250 cc, but later available in increased sizes of 300 cc and 400 cc. It had an electric pre-selective transmission built by Getrag and a manual clutch. The engine was behind the rear wheels. Suspension was independent all round using coil springs with swing axles.
214,313 sedans, 66,511 coupés, and 3,667 Transporter vans and pickups were built from 1955 to  1969.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goggomobil.



OK, let's take a moment and put this car in perspective, shall we?  Just how small IS it?  

And we just happen to have the perfect pic to do just that!  
(L to R) Goggomobil, Isetta, and Smart Car!  And you thought that the Smart Car was tiny!!  Yet it DWARFS the Goggomobil!  I love this pic!


When I first approached the red Goggomobil, there were two little kids in the two front seats, one of whom is visible in this pic.  Perfect:  a little car for little people! Apparently, the car belongs to their uncle who brought them along to the show.  As props?  ;)  Whatever the reason, it was flat out brilliant!  And btw, they won The People's Choice award and a Museum Choice Award also.  They deserved it, no doubt about it!  



Here you can see the owner with his two Show Awards on the hood.  And you can also see his little nephews inside the car.  Perfect size for them!  They told me they love this car, and they are hoping that their uncle will someday give it to them!  True Story!  :)  I don't blame them a bit, and I hope that happens!  

 The Glas 1700GT
Italian-designed body by Frua.  






Now I am going to assume you took the time to get a good look at those Glas cars above.  Now take a look at this BMW 1600GT owned by Axel Coeln.  


 Does it look a wee bit similar?  :)  Indeed it should.  BMW bought out Glas in the early 1960's , and this 1600GT is quite similar to the Glas 1700GT shown above.  Well, except for the kidney grills, of course, and other details.  :)  Those single tail lights, for example, may look familiar to those folks who own "Roundie" 1600/2002!





Here is a little video for you! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl7QINXfdDk

Here is an earlier Baurspotting post that we did on the Glas/BMW connection, a compilation of articles from a number of sources which gives a pretty comprehensive account of the whole story.  Enjoy!

http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/07/vintage-at-saratoga-bmw-1600gt-and-its.html