2800CS factory Wood Wheel on a 3.0CS... Possibly Original!

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execmalibu

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I was talking to an old Max Hoffman Dealer Rep named Hans Peter who was with BMW in the early 1970s... Interesting stories like BMW almost bailed from the US market in 1970-71 because of low sales... He said that Max Hoffman demanded more time and insisted just like with Porsche, BMW would soon be a huge success in the US!... And we all know how that turned out...

I asked him about if were possible to get special order options like colors, trim etc. He said that a car could be ordered special but that Hoffman was very serious about discouraging the dealers from ordering "special cars" out of a fear that they would never sell... He remembered there was a Green Baveria special ordered with Green seats and another Baveria ordered painted to match a customers Brown Mercedes...

I asked if a 3.0CS buyer wanted a 2800 CS Wooden Wheel or the CSL Stainless Fender trim installed when the car was new, could they be ordered installed at the factory? He said absolutely yes they could be ordered factory installed because those parts could be easily removed by the dealer. Special paint/interior colors he said was obviously a different story...

I remember in 1972 at BMW Auto Center which is now Center BMW in Van Nuys that the mechanics had the complete interiors (Seats, Door panels, Carpets etc)out of two brand new cars and were switching a black interior for a tan...

Do you guys absolutely hate this original 2800CS Wooden "Bus" wheel on a 3.0CS?

Flame AWAY!!:neutral:
 

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I don't mind the wheel as long as it is not in my coupe. But is the the automatic transmission indicator sitting below the speaker on the dash? I have never seen one there, always in front of the tach/speedo near the steering column.
 
Late 1974 had the Gear selection indicator on the dash...

In 1974 the moved they gear selection indicator to the lower dash and added the seat belt warning light on top of the upper dash...
 
I like the wooden bus wheel and it was available up through `73, not just on the 2800CS. But what is CSL chrome trim? Swapping interiors was up to the dealer.
 
Wheel

I just had that EXACT wheel taken out of my 72 CSI in favor of a beautiful Alpina wheel that was installed to compliment the shifter knob and wheels.

Truth be told? I loved that wheel. I have it hanging on my wall in my study. I always got positive comments. It simply doesn't match my setup now - but who knows. Maybe one day I'll go back to that setup.

Cheers,
Michael
 
Wow the factory wooden wheel on both a 1972+73 3.0CS so a 74 would be very likely!!

It seems like the Wooden Wheel was not just a 2800CS wheel but confirmed on at least two 3.0CS from both 1972 and 73 so it would undoubtedly still be available on a 1974 3.0CS...

Interesting!:shock:
 
The rules changed in `74 due to DOT in the U.S. and all of North America so they were not available here but perhaps were in Europe.
 
I have one of those too, not on the car but have it. Being 6'3" I can't use it :( Beautiful wheel though.

Anyone know where to get the little chrome bits on the spokes? Two are missing for me.
 
Original wood steering wheel

I have one as well and also missing 2 chrome bits.
It has been replaced with a nardi.


Gbel 73 chamonix
 
If anyone wants a wheel like this in good condition then let me know as I have one for sale - It needs the horn electrics which I believe you may be able to take from your existing wheel, but the wood is all in nice condition and the wheel itself looks great!

I'm in the UK but happy to send hi-res photos and ship.
 
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