'72 Automatic - thoughts please

jac1d

jac1d

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As I continue my search for a local CS, I've come across a '72 automatic that looks to be in very good shape. The owner sent detailed photos, including a number of shots of the typical rust areas and it looks relatively dry and well kept.

Three things about the car that I noticed that I wanted to raise and ask opinions on.

It's an automatic. I've heard they are poor transmissions. Is this the case and valid for a '72? If I intended to do a 5 speed swap anyway, is this an issue? Does starting with an auto create any complex issues for the swap other than finding appropriate trim for around the shift boot?

The car has a fabric interior. I realize this is fairly rare. The others I've looked at had nice leather interiors. Is it practical to get the seats redone in leather or otherwise swap them? Is this an expensive task?

The car appears to have wind up windows, which I know was typical of the euro models but most NA models came with power. I think this might actually be a blessing as I understand the window motors are slow and can be a problem area given the age of the car. Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Jeff

PS - It looks like it has an "original" Becker custom AM/FM radio too.
 
If you converting to a 5 spd tranny- I would not worry about the existing auto. As long as the car can be driven without being towed. (which can be pricey) You are correct about the general performance of the auto in the coupe - there not great. As for the seats, you can get new covers that are leather. This should not be issue. As for the window question, I think most coupes are electric but rollups have there advantages...
 
The driveshaft on an automatic should already be the correct length for the 5 sp swap. Although, given the age of the car it could be in need of a rebuild anyway.
 
And you will need the pedal box with clutch pedal to convert to 5 speed. Four years ago I paid $3K to swap the auto for a 5 speed including all the needed bits and trans. There are two schools of thought on the auto drive shaft and whether it can be used with the 5 speed. Good luck.
 
jac1d said:
As I continue my search for a local CS, I've come across a '72 automatic that looks to be in very good shape. The owner sent detailed photos, including a number of shots of the typical rust areas and it looks relatively dry and well kept.

Three things about the car that I noticed that I wanted to raise and ask opinions on.

It's an automatic. I've heard they are poor transmissions. Is this the case and valid for a '72? If I intended to do a 5 speed swap anyway, is this an issue? Does starting with an auto create any complex issues for the swap other than finding appropriate trim for around the shift boot?

The car has a fabric interior. I realize this is fairly rare. The others I've looked at had nice leather interiors. Is it practical to get the seats redone in leather or otherwise swap them? Is this an expensive task?

The car appears to have wind up windows, which I know was typical of the euro models but most NA models came with power. I think this might actually be a blessing as I understand the window motors are slow and can be a problem area given the age of the car. Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Jeff

PS - It looks like it has an "original" Becker custom AM/FM radio too.
Click to expand...

Hi Jeff, can I ask where the car located,I might able to give you more information about the car if that's the one I looked at a while back.
 
Sven said:
The driveshaft on an automatic should already be the correct length for the 5 sp swap. Although, given the age of the car it could be in need of a rebuild anyway.
Click to expand...
3.0 CS driveshaft will work, if you 'stretch' the splined joint of the rear section. I think it was about 1/2" too short. I did this on my car 20+ years ago and it has held up even with a 230HP Korman engine.

My recollection is that the 2800CS auto trans driveshaft uses smaller bolts at the guibo end. If not, they should work also.
 
Leather

The following is posted in the parts for sale

I posted today some new e9 black seat skins. It is a full set for the 2 front seats. 8 pieces in all. They have been is storage for a few years. I have decided to get some sport seats done for my car instead. Thanks for looking. Tom
 
hmmm

The AT, after all these years, and in my case, sucked big time. I was really amazed at the torque when I changed to a 4-speed.

Leather would be in brittle condition after all these years. Cloth tends to wear a high-contact areas and get "bald". Tan vinyl (which I have) is easily mistaked for leather until you get a closer look at the texture.

Windup windows not often on USA models, methinks. The winding mechanism can wear poorly (many of my former 2002s had grunchy window regulators). But, the powered version also wears and the motors gunk up, requiring removal, partial disassembly, cleaning, relubrication, reassembly and reinstallation... a bit of work, but straightforward for the most part if you're careful removing the door panels. Deteriorated pressboard in the panels can be replaced using 1/8" lauan mahogany ply, cut to match.

Paying $3k for a trans swap is absurd. I went halves on a wrecked '79 528i for the 4speed plus pedals, flywheel and other manual-trans bits, cost me about $700 and should have been less. Did the work myself. Later got a 5-speed '80 528i for $350 and upgraded, so with both swaps I'm still only in for about $1000, but again, my labor. It's not mentally difficult but a little demanding physically. I'd do it again anytime. AT driveshaft fits 5-speed just fine as noted above for higher-powered engines (mine's almost stock). PM me if you'd like...
 
I looked at the car a while back. The car had a $10,000.00 insurance claimed,the engin need rebuilt(low compression on two cylinders),the truck full of bondo(need replace),the exhaust need replace, one side of the hood did not seat properly with the fender, the car drive a little loose(need bushing),the car is on the market for over a year.
 
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