BAT Mystery e9

Pt Roberts isn't exactly the middle of nowhere...but you can see it from there. ;)

For members not from Washington, see map. To answer your next question, no there is no ferry service.

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The dutch and belgians also have their thing with borders. This is actually close to me.
It's a part of the map of the Netherlands. With pieces of Belgium in it.
With pieces of Netherlands inside pieces of Belgium.

Must have been the work of wise men
 

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I am still puzzled at the reference to Point Roberts in this listing. In any photo with another vehicle in the frame, it is wearing BC license plates. And I recognize the handwriting of Hans Henneken on a service invoice. An independent MB/BMW garage in Vancouver, and I know exactly where the driving video took place, and that was just over the main border crossing at Blaine, Wa in Surrey B.C. It is my opinion this is way easier to get to, probably 15 minutes from the Peace Arch border crossing. Would be nice to get more engagement from seller.
 
I am still puzzled at the reference to Point Roberts in this listing. In any photo with another vehicle in the frame, it is wearing BC license plates. And I recognize the handwriting of Hans Henneken on a service invoice. An independent MB/BMW garage in Vancouver, and I know exactly where the driving video took place, and that was just over the main border crossing at Blaine, Wa in Surrey B.C. It is my opinion this is way easier to get to, probably 15 minutes from the Peace Arch border crossing. Would be nice to get more engagement from seller.
In the listing, he states that the car was licensed in Illinois when it was housed and being used in Ontario.

"… then thru a connection to robert deniro i transferred the registration to Chicago as i was managing the family farm near Toronto ( the car never lost it’s US status)"

It could be the same type of situation now.

..."since 2008 the car resided in washington state and frequently visited VANCOUVER"
Perhaps he has another connection to be able to plate the car in Washington (Pt Roberts), but to actually reside somewhere in the Lower BC Mainland?
 
The biggest problem we all know is that this car is a 2800 CS with the heavy badge that takes too long to say. I would also wager a good part of the visible rust on that car happened in Southern California.
 
Agree, seems like what you’re looking for. A driver proven by having been a driver for the last 10 years. Buy for cheap and drive then decide what to do
 
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.
These are unibody cars. Visible rust on the exterior surfaces is a strong indication that there is also rust in the structural elements underneath. When HBChris writes that the "fenders need to come off", he isn't necessarily saying that new or repaired fenders are needed in order to enjoy the car. I think he is saying that to properly evaluate the car's structure, you will need to do some exploratory surgery, which includes removing the front fenders, to really see what is going on underneath. You may find that it is OK or you may find that the car is ready to fold in half.

The question is: "Do you feel lucky?"
 
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These are unibody cars. Visible rust on the exterior surfaces is a strong indication that there is also rust in the structural elements underneath. When HBChris writes that the "fenders need to come off", he isn't just saying that new or repaired fenders are necessary in order to enjoy the car. I think he is saying that to properly evaluate the car's structure, you will need to do some exploratory surgery which includes removing the front fenders to really see what is going on underneath. You may find that it is OK or you may find that the car is ready to fold in half.

The question is: "Do you feel lucky?"

A few things. I know that you are speaking to everyone when replying to @eriknetherlands but I don’t think there is much about e9 bodies that needs explanation for Erik.

You don’t need to remove an e9 front fender to explore rust. Every part of an e9 fender is discoverable without removing the fender just by way of looking and feeling around. I encourage everyone to go out to their e9, stick their hand way up in the fender, and run their fingers along the ledge that runs the length. Stick their cell phone in the “fender box” triangular hole, and look above the glovebox and oddments tray.

The only part that isn’t discoverable is the lower A-pillar, but you can see that with the kick panel removed.


BTW - I am revising my theory on this auction. There are three active bidders that have gone into the 40’s on recent auctions. An experienced e9 owner shouldn’t go above $20-$25K which probably won’t hit reserve anyway based on the seller’s demeanor. One of these new guys will probably take it into the low 30’s.
 
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I shouldn’t be commenting that late in the auction. I’m not quite sure what I was thinking about the seats, but I knew better thanks to Macha for correcting me. Also @autokunst’s very early 3.0CS has seemingly no original herringbone vinyl. I love them. The seller isn’t wrong that this vinyl is fragile. Anyone who has felt their door cards knows that it is more of a thin plastic than a modern padded vinyl. Similar to the center console but not quite as delicate. Probably why you almost never see front seats with this material.
 
I shouldn’t be commenting that late in the auction. I’m not quite sure what I was thinking about the seats, but I knew better thanks to Macha for correcting me. Also @autokunst’s very early 3.0CS has seemingly no original herringbone vinyl. I love them. The seller isn’t wrong that this vinyl is fragile. Anyone who has felt their door cards knows that it is more of a thin plastic than a modern padded vinyl. Similar to the center console but not quite as delicate. Probably why you almost never see front seats with this material.
A photo of my presumed original vinyl herringbone pattern seats. Car is a relatively early 1971 North American delivery 3.0CS. Sorry for the lousy image. I happened to be sitting in the car during the end of the auction and was texting with @Markos at the time.
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By the way, the vinyl is pretty supple.
 
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