BAT Mystery e9

stevegt

stevegt

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Howdy folks, first time posting here. I am looking for my first e9 project. Long time admirer and have done nut and bolt restorations on 2002 and a 1600 GT. Feel pretty comfortable with rust repair but I am getting older now and not looking for another project to tear apart that deeply.
Wanted to get your expert opinions on what’s going on with this example and if we’ve seen it here before? Seems crazy cheap. Thanks in advance!

bringatrailer.com

Three-Decades-Owned 1970 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a Three-Decades-Owned 1970 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #269,428.
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Well remember that this is an auction with two days still to go. Final price may be more in the $30k range. Look through the cars for sale thread, there’s a car in NC that might be up your alley. It has some rust and so would need someone willing and able to do bodywork.
Also, as a current owner of a 1600GT, would love to pick your brain sometime on these unusual cars…
 
JC, during a small classic car meeting in my hometown in September, I came across this one (still a Glas, but I thought you may like it):

20260912_105111(1).jpg
 
HB Chris said:
You’re right, they might just fall off!
Click to expand...

Tell me you are from California without telling me you are from California. Yes, Im sure
this car just started to rust in the last few years, and definitely hasn’t been driven as-is for the last 40.
 
The problem with E9's is that there is no such thing as "a little bit of rust". Karman's non-existent rust prevention as well as drainage and water trapping inherent in the design make sure that unrestored cars will inevitably have structural rust issues. The easy one's have all been bought up and restored. The projects left now have a lot of body work required and this car is no different. The front structure on this one is very suspect and the fenders need to come off and much of the front structure needs to be repaired or replaced. That's not a job for most do it yourselfers and the cost of repairing professionally will leave you deep under water. If you're willing to take on a major project and don't put a dollar value on your time then go for it. Better to look for something that is cosmetically needy rather than one that has structural issues.
 
With the seller's help on the time line for the car, it looks something like this...(Still a little hazy, however)

New to 1977 owned by SoCal BMW dealer
1977-1991 owned by SoCal engineer
1992 to present owned by seller
1992-1994 seller resided in SoCal
1995-2007 seller resided in Toronto. Car not driven winters
2008-present seller resided in Washington State (Pt Roberts?)
 
ElGrecko said:
The projects left now have a lot of body work required and this car is no different…

The fenders need to come off and much of the front structure needs to be repaired or replaced.
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I understand that you’re trying to steer a new buyer in a safe direction. However, you use the words “required” and “need”. Other than forum group think, why does the car “need” to have the fenders off? Why does it “need” to be restored?

The only thing this car needs is a low purchase price. Forum response of course will be: “but it will cost $100K to restore” Then I will ask again… Why does it need to be restored?
 
Markos said:
I understand that you’re trying to steer a new buyer in a safe direction. However, you use the words “required” and “need”. Other than forum group think, why does the car “need” to have the fenders off? Why does it “need” to be restored?

The only thing this car needs is a low purchase price. Forum response of course will be: “but it will cost $100K to restore” Then I will ask again… Why does it need to be restored?
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I guess it depends on what the buyer wants to do. I want to drive !!! Give me the keys
 
e9Leveque said:
Well remember that this is an auction with two days still to go. Final price may be more in the $30k range. Look through the cars for sale thread, there’s a car in NC that might be up your alley. It has some rust and so would need someone willing and able to do bodywork.
Also, as a current owner of a 1600GT, would love to pick your brain sometime on these unusual cars…
Click to expand...
Please do, I haven’t met another GT owner! It’d be great to spit ball with a human instead of trying to translate old German manuals. Are you mid resto? Or are you finished?
Thanks I’ll check out the NC one as well.
 
HB Chris said:
Front fenders look pretty bad and will need to come off and along with an absent seller I think buyer beware.
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Thanks Chris. As I’ve been reading more it seems fender removal is a crucial action. I’ve been worried about the non response of the owner as well.
 
Here is what I think. This car is a sleeper that going to sell to an e9 expert who knows exactly what they are doing. Continued effort will be put into pointing out flaws and claiming that it needs everything.
 
Markos said:
They “need” to come off? Option 2: Just drive the car…
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I think you're both pointing out good things.
The fenders do have their fair share of rust. An afficianado will likely see the benefit of fixing it before it gets worse.

On the other hand the car won't fold in half when you keep driving it. The smiles aren't any less, and while the rust will progress, so will the years of driving pleasure.

There's no good or better option in my view. It's judt a personal preference.

Now for me? I'd like to have a driver on the side while i go hyperfocus on details and originality on my 'first'.

My car was way worse then the BAT one here before i tore into it.
This is the worst pic of the add, and it's difficult to say if thisnis superficial, or straight rust - through holes.
 

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Markos said:
Here is what I think. This car is a sleeper that going to sell to an e9 expert who knows exactly what they are doing. Continued effort will be put into pointing out flaws and claiming that it needs everything.
Click to expand...
My guess is that it won't reach reserve. The quiet seller isn't very forthcoming with a complete description of the rust damage which will chill bidding. It is a car that begs for a personal inspection and Pt Roberts isn't exactly the middle of nowhere...but you can see it from there. ;)
 
stevegt said:
Howdy folks, first time posting here. I am looking for my first e9 project. Long time admirer and have done nut and bolt restorations on 2002 and a 1600 GT. Feel pretty comfortable with rust repair but I am getting older now and not looking for another project to tear apart that deeply.
Wanted to get your expert opinions on what’s going on with this example and if we’ve seen it here before? Seems crazy cheap. Thanks in advance!

bringatrailer.com

Three-Decades-Owned 1970 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a Three-Decades-Owned 1970 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #269,428.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com
Click to expand...
Stevegt--Welcome to the Forum. Where are you in Florida? We have experts that have done just about everything you can do to these cars. Low $$ to buy always means time and money to have a nice coupe. This car will be another "deep project". There are coupe members throughout Florida that can show you their cars.
 
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