“Single owner” 71 2800CS on BaT

[Minivansomeren]

One-Family-Owned 1971 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a One-Family-Owned 1971 BMW 2800CS 4-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #216,816.

bringatrailer.com

Somehow I didn’t get a notification from BaT about this listing. Definitely a rougher “driver” class with wear/tear on the door paint and leather and lots of items listed as nonop. However the rest of the Malaga paint photographs well, and the underside shots don’t raise any rust red flags. The visible portions of the rockers look fine.

Thoughts?

 

[rsporsche]

on a very quick look, this looks interesting - a 1 family owned car??? the original michelin XAS spare tire! this looks like a well preserved car - sure, there are some things, but it looks like a great starting point. i haven't seen many fuse box doors open with the wiring that looks like its never been touched. something very odd about the paint in the trunk and engine compartment. its been repainted at some point - all of the sound insulation is gone off the inner fenders. overall, it looks worthwhile

now why would somebody post a picture of the key - with the code visible? not smart for the potential buyer

 

[offpage]

I don’t recall seeing that extra trim line where the “money line” is on any other coupes. You can see it in the profile shots and pics 41-56. Makes me wonder the back story of this.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

something very odd about the paint in the trunk and engine compartment.

Also the door jambs and front valance. I've never seen anything like that. Any ideas of it's origin?

 

[rsporsche]

its like painting over spray-on insulation.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I don’t recall seeing that extra trim line where the “money line” is on any other coupes. You can see it in the profile shots and pics 41-56. Makes me wonder the back story of this.

Do you mean the extra rub strips below the stock belt line trim? If so, it's generic added trim that was popular in the 70's. Often added by the dealer.

 

[autokunst]

If so, it's generic added trim that was popular in the 70's. Often added by the dealer.

And in some cases, that extra trim is bolted on by drilling holes through the door skin and quarter panel. I don't know which version the ones on this car are - lick-n-stick or bolt-through, but I'd guess the latter. Here is an example of what this looks like:


And I agree that there is something funky about the paintwork under the hood. I don't want to see it - this could be dirt, or corrosion poking through. It seems that the acoustic mats were removed, but the glue remained, and then they painted over it all?

 

[tdgray]

Looks like really heavy chip guard. Probably hiding pitting etc. could be good or bad depending.

 

[rsporsche]

i tend to agree, but why? i could see the removal of the original sound insulation and putting something else there ... but that ain't pretty.

 

[JMinPDX]

While I’d want some more inner fender and undercarriage photos, I really like this car for its originality. Still has the 5 blade cooling fan. (Although I’d upgrade to the later fan clutch style immediately.) Seller claims original paint, I’d have to see it in person to believe it. VIN plate has been moved and appears to be a reproduction. Hopefully the extra side trim is held by adhesive (not likely) Still lots to like.

 

[autokunst]

John - I agree on all points. I would bet a dollar this car was painted at some point. Perhaps daughter/son didn't know every detail that dad put into the car over the decades. And those door guards are almost certainly drilled through (cringe). You can't fix that over a weekend. But that doesn't entirely overshadow the extent of originality elsewhere on the car. I do think someone needs to take a closer look at the paint and body as that seems to be getting glossed over by the handed-down-to-children nature of the ownership.

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

Seller claims original paint, I’d have to see it in person to believe it.

Unless it was a glass out repaint (which I doubt...the front and rear windshield seals look original) it is super tough to not get a little paint on the seals. I don't see any paint on the seals after examining the pictures of them closely.

 

[JMinPDX]

Unless it was a glass out repaint (which I doubt...the front and rear windshield seals look original) it is super tough to not get a little paint on the seals. I don't see any paint on the seals after examining the pictures of them closely.

Just a guess but as original and well preserved as it is I suspect the original owner may have insisted on a glass out re-spray.

This is the only photo I could find with a trace of overspray:

But why would they paint the door jams?

Paint thickness measurements would certainly help.
Seller is leaving money on the table without proof of original paint.

 

[rsporsche]

from what i can tell, this is a car that is going to need to be stripped and repainted. its not original paint, the engine compartment no longer has sound insulation on it - the car has been repainted.

 

[autokunst]

I concur. I do not doubt that the work was done well, but there are just a few too many details that aren't accurate in my opinion. I am seeing some irregularities in the metal work around the front right grill, some missing stickers but shiny paint instead, that re-pop vin tag in combination with the engine bay paintwork, and several areas where the the texture of the paint just doesn't seem right - I can't believe this is all original. Still nice - I want it. But I think something was done - likely very well - 20 or so years ago. That's my guess without seeing the car in person.

 

[JMinPDX]

RNM $25,750. No surprise. There is a lot to like about this car. Seller left a lot to be desired and it cost them. Even with the recent dip in the market e9’s are still desirable cars, but they don’t sell themselves. I guess I’m still baffled as to why BaT doesn’t coach inexperienced sellers more on proper presentation.

 

[autokunst]

And the seller never did (or was unable to) answer whether the side trims were bolted through or adhered. Seems like a pretty significant detail, knowing that is is almost irreversible without major work (and more paintwork).

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I think the seller's best bet at this point is to make a deal with the high bidder. I don't think he would do any better trying another venue with his lack of knowledge of the car and the selling process. Plus, the RNM bid on BaT pretty much becomes the "value" for the car if a future potential buyer does his due diligence. I wish him luck. That Malaga over black is stunning!

 

[jmackro]

I guess I’m still baffled as to why BaT doesn’t coach inexperienced sellers more on proper presentation.

For the fee that BaT charges, personalized service of a level that would make a difference probably wouldn't pencil out. If you want hand holding, go to Bonhams, RM Southebys or the like. Or to a BaT intermediary such as WOB who will take the pictures and answer the questions. Of course, that strategy will cost more than plain BaT, but the car is more likely to sell. As JMinPDX also wrote, "e9’s are still desirable cars, but they don’t sell themselves".

 

[CSteve]

When I sold Lilli, my stunning automatic, ac, original paint, Chaminoix/Blue, 78,000 original miles, 1976 2002 I lived on that auction for seven days/shifts. And many of you were there with me confirming, praising, answering questions. I was touched!! That was two or three summers ago, the market was still hot.

Selling price: $34,000 It pays to be present and accounted for.