Obscure question regarding Series I and Series II tail lights..

R

rblongboarder

Well-Known Member
Messages
566
Reaction score
260
Location
Southern California
I have a rather obscure question about E3 Series I and Series II taillights..

The tail lights appear to have different horizontal widths, but their heights appear to be the same - is this true?

Based on the WN catalog, it looks like you might have to switch the rear chrome piece under the trunk if you wanted to swap tail lights...
 
Heights are the same, as in series I taillights fit a series II tail panel and seals just fine.

As an experiment, I used a series II tail panel for my series I. The Bav chrome trim indeed fits the early cars (if you want to change to Bav tails). I had to trim the openings to fit the larger horizontally taillights, but fit and seal well.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2808.jpeg
    IMG_2808.jpeg
    130 KB · Views: 37
  • IMG_2809.jpeg
    IMG_2809.jpeg
    156 KB · Views: 32
  • IMG_2810.jpeg
    IMG_2810.jpeg
    250.9 KB · Views: 38
Last edited:
Thank you for your help and the photos!

Two questions @RichenFamous :
  1. Your 3rd photo is a Series I headlight mounted in a Series II tail panel on a Series I vehicle (I can see the trunk chrome) .. a photo of the actual modification you did?
  2. Looks like you've done the bumperette "delete" on your Series I vehicle. Where did you get the chrome strips to cover the bumper joints?

[I was thinking that Series I headlights would look good on a Series II vehicle. For some reason, I like the Series II c-pillar more than the Series I c-pillar. Perhaps it's because the Series II c-pillar from these E3's carried forward to the E28's of my teenage years... ?]
 
Last edited:
I love these obscure Q&As. I learn so much. Interesting to see the chrome piece in photo three. The one below the trunk button/lock with the 2800 badge. I liked that piece so much I got one for my '72 Bavaria.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1908.jpg
    IMG_1908.jpg
    27.9 KB · Views: 31
Steve, an obscure side question. Why is it beneficial to have Antique plates as there are restrictions in many states concerning mileage etc. for ex, in Ma:

"An “antique motor car” is any motor vehicle over 25 years old maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and
other functions of public interest. This includes test drives to prepare for such functions and transportation to and from repair facilities,
and not used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods over any way."
 
In PA we have three types of plates for antique or classic vehicles (aside from a normal plate found on all cars).

According the PenDot (in relevant part)
“It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or vehicle with antique (25 years old or greater), classic (15 years or greater), vintage (1906-1976), collectible or historic military vehicle registration plates for
general daily transportation. Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.” Occasional transportation and similar uses are defined as no more than one day a week."

So very similar to MA.

The vintage (think "year of manufacture") and the Antique plates are issued for life (duration of ownership) and do not require annual registration renewal. The vehicles licensed with antique plates also do not require annual smog or safety inspections that are required of both modern vehicles.
 
The key words are "primarily" and "Occasional transportation." I may take my Bavaria to the shopping center, to actually shop, parking way away from the front. I take it to tennis. I have never been stopped for any reason by the police. No one in 35 years running classic and antique plates has ever checked the mileage or my destination. The only time I have been engaged with the police is when an officer has engaged me conversation about my beautiful car. Speeding tickets are rare, almost always we drive away with a warning and the lovely car spiel.

those three "key" words rule.

Ten years ago PA went to a really ugly antique plate. It had a Model T on it, ugly, ugly. I found a company that will take your plate numbers and letters and produce on of the older plates. That's what you will see on my car. No one can tell the difference.
 
rblongboarder said:
Thank you for your help and the photos!

Two questions @RichenFamous :
  1. Your 3rd photo is a Series I headlight mounted in a Series II tail panel on a Series I vehicle (I can see the trunk chrome) .. a photo of the actual modification you did?
  2. Looks like you've done the bumperette "delete" on your Series I vehicle. Where did you get the chrome strips to cover the bumper joints?

[I was thinking that Series I headlights would look good on a Series II vehicle. For some reason, I like the Series II c-pillar more than the Series I c-pillar. Perhaps it's because the Series II c-pillar from these E3's carried forward to the E28's of my teenage years... ?]
Click to expand...
1. Yes
2. Bumperette’s were long gone before I bought the car. Not sure where the covers are from. I may have another set in the parts container.

Series I headlights are the same as series II. The grills are just different colors.

Cheers,
Rich
 
I don’t know if the 2002 rear bumpers are the same profile, probably pretty close. The chrome strips are readily available for the 2002. If no one speaks to the 2002 strips fitting e3 bumpers before I get home this evening, I’ll cut a template from my 2002 and see how close the fit may be.

www.mvpvintageparts.com

BMW 2002 EARLY REAR BUMPER SEAM COVER SET 51121803274 51121803273 BMW 1502 - 2002tii YEAR UP TO 1971 (NOT FOR TOURING)

BMW 2002 EARLY REAR BUMPER SEAM COVER SET 51121803274 51121803273 BMW 1502 - 2002tii YEAR UP TO 1971 (NOT FOR TOURING)
www.mvpvintageparts.com www.mvpvintageparts.com
 
I've seen these bumper deletes before... at the SoCal Vintage BMW show in Woodley Park:
R

Post in thread 'The 1970 2800 Project'

This was a very nice rear bumper mod by the father / daughter team.

I like how they used a chrome strip to cover up the rear bumper joint - an area that would be covered by the "bumperettes" - very elegant.

This car belongs to a father & daughter team on this site... I've seen the car at Woodley Park in Van Nuys.. this very cool misty blue with a hint of fine silver fleck underneath... where is their project?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top