Patricia A. Mayer's 3.0 CS / Paul Cain's Fjord project / The 300 mile Test Drive / VIII / Final Punch List

paul cain

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This is the start of new thread on preserving Patricia A. Mayer's Fjord blue 1974 3.0 CSa. Patricia Ann Mayer passed away peacefully on October 5, 2021. A funeral mass was held for her today, October 10th 2021 in Defiance, Ohio. I am trying to locate any of Mrs. Mayer's surviving family members to ask some respectful questions about her history in purchasing this particular car in May of 1974. If anyone on this Forum lives in the Toledo, Ohio area and knows Patricia's family, I'd love to hear from you. Or, if you've seen this car in the Toledo area over the past decades, I'd love to hear any history.

As much as I'd like to keep it completely original. The goal is to keep it stock, but more Euro stock, by removing the federalized bumpers, reflectors and U.S. emissions equipment. The more I inspect this car the more stunned I am at the lack of wear and abuse. It's so original the ignition buzzer is still connected and working. So irritating. So original.

The plans are to remove the Federalized bumpers (sold to Russ thank you) and replace with 1972 Euro chrome bumpers (thank you Mike Pelly). Replace the entire 3 spd automatic with a Getrag 265 5 speed. And then repaint the exterior of the car in the correct shade of 037 Fjord blue. The motor runs exceptionally well short of a massive lean surge with the Zenith carburetors worn accelerator pumps. Rebuilding the Zeniths is job no. 2. (removing the federalized bumpers was job no. 1).

I will keep the updates coming when interesting things progress.

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Patricia (Pat) Mayer, was a dedicated professional in field of medical laboratory administration. She did not have children and never married. She did navigate a very successful career at the Toledo Clinic and acquired exceptional taste in her wardrobe, sports cars and jewelry collection(s). Pat purchased the 1974 BMW 3.0 CS new at Laux Motors in Sylvinia, OH in May of 1974. She kept it in her possession for the next 47 years. The last 20 of those, being in continuous indoor storage. Pat was close with her first cousin, Jeanne Neary, as she acted as the executor of Pat’s estate in early 2021. Jeanne Neary, is recorded as the second recorded owner of 4335055, a required step to sell the car at auction in the Spring of 2021. It is rare to observe and appreciate rare items that were kept in exceptional condition their entire life. Bravo to Pat Mayer, to her exceptional taste, beginning in 1974, and to her attention to detail in cherishing this Coupe for 47 years!
 

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Gary Knox

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Paul,

IF you are one who names their cars (as I do), I suggest 'Patty' as a candidate. Or, since she (the singular previous owner) obviously loved to bake, maybe 'Pattycake'.

Great candidate for an outstanding restoration.

Gary
 

paul cain

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Gary,
Good to hear from you. I don't name cars as a rule. This one I specifically wanted to acknowledge Patricia's effort in keeping it so clean, original and dry. It must have been cherished as a Sunday driver. I am very hopeful to get in touch with the family. She was way ahead of her time in 1974!
 

tightbox

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WOW, I love to see these original survivors! What is the original mileage? It looks pristine underneath.

What a shame the Fjord paints disintegrated. My '73 low mileage survivor is in similar condition, but also suffers from the same "cloudy" appearance on the horizontal Fjord paint.

I'm struggling to decide between keeping the patina/originality and partially re-painting mine, but still think it's a shame BMW never took care of passionate and caring original owners like Patricia by fixing these. Back when this was "just" another new car, I'm sure she would have preferred it to look like one!

Porsche suffered the infamous m96/m97 IMS bearing failure issues at a pivotal moment in their history/turnaround, and rightfully decided to replace many complete engines well out of warranty.
 

Gary Knox

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Regarding the paint on Fjords (et al). IN 1975 I bought a used '73 3.0 CS manual from the original owner in Boston. Loved the car and moved from DE to NC in mid-75. By early 76, the clear coat on the Nachtblau base had started to craze. I took it to a specialist re-finish shop in the Charlotte area, and the owner/operator told me that BMW's had a significant problem with their clear coat paints, and he understood the company was reimbursing owners for at least part of the repainting costs. Sure enough, took the car to the dealer, they submitted a claim to Munchen, and I was reimbursed for 50% of the repaint cost. Apparently the two stage German paints at that time were not satisfactory for higher UV exposure that US cars experienced.

Interestingly, I had the same 'clear coat crazing' issue with a '73 Mercedes 450SL which replaced the '73 e9 in the early '80's. By about 88, it was badly crazed as well. NO support from MB on a 15 year old paint, however!!
 
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dbower

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Having grown up in Ohio, I have NEVER seen a 50-year-old car from there without rust -- usually terminal long before that age. Being an E9, this example is even more remarkable.

Don
 

JFENG

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in Ohio, I have NEVER seen a 50-year-old car from there without rust

My First e-type came from a guy living a few miles north of Toledo. His father bought the e-type when it was less than a year old, and the car lived in a climate controlled garage (parked on a rug, next to a RR) for the next 50 years. He drove the car less than 1000 miles a year, and only in nice weather. His “daily drivers” lived outside . Not a single spec of rust other than a panel where battery acid had dribbled.

There are a fair number of cars in the Midwest like this. In particular it seems cars which were impractical, too quirky, or unreliable survived the best. E9’s were reliable, practical, comfortable, and not hugely expensive cars and as a consequence they got used up. Same
As what happened to most 911’s
and 356’s.

John
 

paul cain

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I've always been curious what the weight difference is between the U.S. Federalized bumpers and the earlier, original <1972 chrome bumper version. I had a good opportunity on this project using my uncalibrated bathroom scale. Federalized = 79.5 lbs vs. early chrome at 44.3 lbs. Full details attached. At a 35 lb delta, I am a bit disappointed as I thought it would have been closer to a 100 lbs. Visually it remains a 400 lb. difference in my eyes. Details attached.

Bumper weight differences on E9s  U.S. vs. Euro Chrome.JPG
front bumper.jpg
rear bumper.jpg
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up in the air.jpg
 

Ohmess

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I've always been curious what the weight difference is between the U.S. Federalized bumpers and the earlier, original <1972 chrome bumper version. I had a good opportunity on this project using my uncalibrated bathroom scale. Federalized = 79.5 lbs vs. early chrome at 44.3 lbs. Full details attached. At a 35 lb delta, I am a bit disappointed as I thought it would have been closer to a 100 lbs. Visually it remains a 400 lb. difference in my eyes. Details attached.
I presume you used the stand on the scale and subtract your weight method. That is what I do, which sometimes prompts my wife to ask why I need to have car parts with me to get on the scale.
 

JMinPDX

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Those are some monster jack stands. Like to see the the jack that gets the car high enough.
Having done this same swap earlier this year I can attest that the emotional reward far out weights the actual loss in curb weight.
 

Erik

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Curious about the level of rust now that you have had a chance to inspect the car. It looked pretty dry in the sale photos & you do wonder if there was much truth or effect to the reports of rust-prevention application at the factory for the '74+ coupes. Plus the after-market stuff that was mentioned on this car. How does it look?
 
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