Questions, Feedback & Opinions on Chrome Trim for 1970 E3 2800

[rblongboarder]

I'd like to get some opinion and feedback from the E3/E9 community about the chrome trim options on the 1970 E3 2800 model.


A careful survey of the cars leads to two basic styles:

1. The Base Model:
There appears to have been a "base" model which only had trim on the windows. Here are several images from several well-known websites. The first two vehicles (red) have no body trim or wheel well trim. The 3rd vehicle (tan color) has no body trim, but has wheel well trim.. it's subtle.

Image 01 (red car #1):

Euro-Spec 1970 BMW 2800 E3 Sedan

Learn more about Euro-Spec 1970 BMW 2800 E3 Sedan on Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.

bringatrailer.com

Image 02 & 03 (red car #2 - same car listed on two websites):

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-bmw-2800-3/

1970 BMW Bavaria

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1970 BMW E3 2800 sedan (Bavaria). This is a unique, early, Euro-spec example finished in the rather rare and...

www.motorcarstudio.com

Image 04 (tan with wheel well trim):

No Reserve: 1970 BMW 2800 5-Speed

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1970 BMW 2800 5-Speed at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #8,684.

bringatrailer.com

2. An upgraded model:
I've also found a lot of photos of an upgraded model that had trim on the doors. Here are two photos of a silver 1970 2800 that clearly has body trim, and wheel well trim.

Image 05, 06 (silver with body & wheel well trim):

FS: 1970 BMW 2800 E3 Bavaria - R3VLimited Forums

www.r3vlimited.com

3. This vehicle:
Photos 7 & 8 are shots of a Southern California vehicle I inspected a week ago.

I've never seen trim like this before on any E3 model... the trim is low on the door, below the body line, appears to be in-line with the running lights on the side, and ends before the front wheel well. I'm of the opinion that body chrome is an aftermarket modication by a previous owner... and the car has wheel well chrome trim like the tan 2800.

Finally, per this excellent E3 VIN data, this vehicle has a VIN in the 242XXXX range, which makes it a 1970 4-speed manual 2800 model.

BMW E3 Club | E3 Fahrgestellnummern

Liste der Fahrgestellnummern sortiert nach Modellen

bmw-e3-club.de

I'd like to hear thoughts and commentary on this unusual body trim...


Thanks gentlemen,
JP / rblongborder

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

I'm no expert and hopefully someone like @Christoph will jump in here with some facts. The following is open to correction by anyone with more knowledge than I have.

I don't think there was a Bavaria model until December of 1970. The link you show of serial number ranges confirms this. A Bavaria was introduced in December of 70 with the 2.8 motor and updated in July of 71 with the new 3.0 motor. At that time, the model year changed early to 1972.

So before December of 1970, any E3 in the US was not a Bavaria. There were US spec cars imported (both 2.5 liter and 2.8 liter.) as well as Euro models that were produced for the European market but brought to the US by owners. These cars likely have a wide variety of optional trim, as well as potential upgrades (at least on the 2800) like leather and power windows. These were the days when you could custom order a car with the trim and options of your choosing. For that reason it's tough to say there were only certain "flavors". OTOH, the Bavaria was pretty much a package....the biggest motor in a body with few upgrades. To my knowledge, all had belt line moulding, wheel covers with trim rings, no wheel well mouldings.

The E3 is now over 50 years old so in addition to several trim options, the trim on ones we see today could have been added or deleted by an owner. It's tough to tell exactly how they were originally built.

The first two cars you link to are Euro 2800s (even though the ad calls the second one a Bavaria). The third one is a US spec 2800. The fourth is again called a Bavaria but is badged a 2800. The last one is a US spec 2800. The side trim on this car is a generic auto parts store add on.

 

[junkyardhero]

I know it may not help much in that I have a 72 Bavaria, but here's what my junk has: the usual window trim and roof rail (rain gutter) trim, belt line trim that follows the body line down the middle and lower rocker trim, no wheel lip trim. however, it's 50 years old and it might've been there at one time, but I didn't see any signs of attachment.

my lower trim looks most like the stuff on the tan #4 car

I saw that red car on CL last week. I thought about having a look but it would've been a haul to get down there. how'd it look in person? inquiring minds and all that...

 

[HB Chris]

All 2500 and 2800 through 1970 model year (there is no US 71 2800) have no belt trim, the 2800 has wheel well trims, not sure about 2500 but I doubt they had these. Your Post #2 has a car with aftermarket trim, it is too narrow to be original. Same with the low mounted trim on the last two pics which is most likely pop riveted on to the body. The 2800 was made for the US thru 11/70, in 12/70 the 2800 Bavaria debuted as a 71 MY and all Bavaria’s have belt trim.

It gets confusing because Europe continued to have 2500 and 2800 models in addition to the 3.0 and 3.3 models.

 

[rblongboarder]

Thank you for all the feedback. On the last vehicle (California plate 729CZP), I had a hunch the body trim was some kind of aftermarket add-on.

 

[Bob]

Only early 2800s had the trunk lid chrome trim/handle.