vin build date differs from registered date

ccr2002

ccr2002

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Like others, I found out that my build date, probably in the fall of 1972 and car was delivered to Hoffmans in NY in Dec '72, differs from the title. Car is registered/titled as a '73. Would anyone recommend changing title to 1972? Are there any issues?

thanks
ccr
 
Maybe it was a 73' model year manufactured Dec. of 72'? Today by September of a particular yer the next years model cars are already on the dealers lots. Have you cross referenced your vin number? Is it a 72' or a 73' based on your vin number?
 
has anyone tried it, yet?

i know that dealership changed the buildsheet and got a new one from the importer. that's how they turned a 72 into a 73.
was a common practice, if they couldn't sell it the previous year.
 
Mine is the opposite. It has a '72 VIN and title, but it has '73 bumpers, heater controls, and the seat belt warning light on the dash. My guess is that it was built in late '72 and they ran out of '72 parts and used '73 parts.
 
M

From your VIN your coupe is a `72, the 4 speed `73 VINs start with 2240391 on 11/02/72 per Andreas at the BMW Archive. This is supported by other owners who requested their build dates from BMW which I have collected on a spreadsheet. Your coupe was most likely built in May of `72 which is way too early to get `73 parts installed on the production line. It even appears that there was a two or three month break in US production in August-October of `72 to prepare for the US `73 model changes. Andreas says there are no model year differences but this is not the case with the US `73 models.

What changed in the heater controls between `72 and `73 US coupes, I wasn't aware that there were any differences? Euros are different for sure.

Do any US `72 coupes have the seat belt warning light on the dash? Maybe that was phased in earlier? Send me an e-mail I will send the build date listing that I have compiled, but ask Andreas for your build date as well. HTH./
 
ccr,

Your coupe is the 15th US 4 speed `73 built, sometime in November of `72, ask Andreas for the build date.

[email protected]

The production year is 1972, the model year is 1973. It has the unique for `73 US only bumpers and bumper guards, no need to change the title. As I recall your car has all of its original stickers/decals and is a great reference for where they should be placed on a `73 at least. I would love to see more photos!

Chris
 
I never knew my heater controls were illuminated until I had the console apart! Can anyone else confirm if they have the two tiny bulbs, one at each top corner of the console, on a `72 US coupe? I wouldn't be surprised if most owners are unaware, the bulbs are pretty dim but do help in addition to the bulb near the ignition key.
 
1972 3.0 cs u.s.a.

Chris,

My Coupe, which was delivered to Hoffman in NYC on 28 July 1972 , has the dreaded and very ugly fasten your seatbelt knome on the dash. It will go away eventually but the build date of 18 July 1972 would put it in the middle of the 1972 production run.

Regards, Jon
 
My coupe

My coupe #2250050 was built November 15th '71 it does not have the seat belt light nor do I see the heater control lights.
 
Ives, That makes sense, I didn't think they only started in `73.

Hayes, You can't see the bulbs without taking everything apart (side covers), they are behind the panel and very dim.
 
Build date July 18th, 1972 - It has the seat belt light on top of dash but no heater panel lights (I know, since it is in a million pieces).
 
Sven and Ives,

Your coupes were built on the same date. There are a few coupes registered that are consecutively numbered (U.S. only):

2800: 2270012 and 13

3.0 4 speed: 2240321/22, 2240346/47, 2240524/25, 2240689/90, 2240699/700, 2240749/50, 2240884/85/86, 2240938/39, 4310234/35, 4310340/41

3.0 auto: 2250345/46, 4335294/95/96, 4335410/11

Another bit of trivia: 53.5% of all U.S. 3.0 coupes were 4 speeds and 46.5% automatics, our registry is divided 59.4% 4 speeds and 40.6% autos. Pretty close all things considered.

The 2800 was 55% 4 speeds and we have 66%, very few autos on the list (eight). My list includes VINs I have picked up along the way which is slightly greater than the registry.

Of 3,724 U.S. coupes built, the list inludes 186 or only 5% of total production. If you found this interesting, or even not, register your coupe, ask for the build date, include your e9coupe Alias and a name. Most of the registrant information boxes are blank, without photos and impersonal. This is a resource for all of us. Thanks.

Chris
 
Ceylon CS

Ccr2002, is your Ceylon coupe the same one that was featured on Carl Nelson's blog? The low mile example? If so, that thing is amazing. Congrats.
Is it on our registry? I can't find it. If it is not, you should look at it on the website bimmerdoc.com
Scott
 
That is the same coupe, what a beauty! But it is not in the e9 registry and is the 15th `73 built. Number 2240401, the 10th, was built 11/6/72 for comparison.
 
m_thompson,

Yes, the bumper is tight to the body at both ends.
 
m_

Check where the front bumper ends mount to the fender. Are there two holes, one that is not utilized or has been welded closed? That is another clue.
 
My coupe has '73 bumper brackets on the front and back. I replaced the front fenders about 20 years ago. I don't remember seeing filled '72 mounting holes in the original fenders. The new front fenders had only '72 holes. I welded those closed and drilled '73 holes. I haven't dissasembled the rear quarters enough to see if the '72 holes were filled and new ones drilled. The car was repainted at one time so it is possible.
 
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