WTB An Original Bavaria

CSteve

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Confession time. I have been driving a lovely Agave,'72 Bavaria for a couple of years now. When I purchased it I thought I would be fine with the 1992 7 Series, B35 motor and automatic. But I have realized I am an Originalist. All of my previous 11 classic BMWs have been stock original. Well, except my '74 Italian delivery Polaris euro coupe I modified and took to numerous high performance driver's school up and down the east coast.

When I open the hood I yearn for that original motor. And yes, it is an automatic(I need one by necessity) but I want the original shifter and console.

The car I am looking for must have the automatic and air conditioning. Essential in these warming times for my 84 year old body. Finally going soft after all those years. The car should be in
good + condition with little to do. I realize there is always something to do to our classics. Part of the joys of ownership.

email: [email protected] if you wish

Thanks,

Steve O'Neill
 
Thanks Chris. Let me clarify. Good + condition throughout. Body, interior, trunk, chrome. Paint in overall good condition, with flaws visible. Original engine or an exchange engine in the original configuration is fine. Original automatic or a rebuilt or exchange. We all know the history of those early automatics. Undercarriage photos showing minimal rust, surface preferred. Or serious rust remediation professionally done. Any history would be helpful.

Yes, I am demanding. But I am too old to take on anything remotely resembling a car that "needs work." Certainly not a project!! Perhaps turnkey is close to what I am after.
 
Bavarias seldom receive the love that e9's routinely get, so there may be few available in the condition that CSteve is looking for. The car in Santee that rblongboarder references in post #6 may be among the better examples of e3's commonly available (with the '74 currently on BaT at the other end of the spectrum). It's manual transmission is probably a deal killer for CSteve, but its general condition is worth discussing.

Did Bavarias ever come with white/blue door panels like the one shown on this photo? They seems like an aftermarket touch to me.

584894a69d7e418c8daada07f752f819.jpg
 
Bavarias seldom receive the love that e9's routinely get, so there may be few available in the condition that CSteve is looking for. The car in Santee that rblongboarder references in post #6 may be among the better examples of e3's commonly available (with the '74 currently on BaT at the other end of the spectrum). It's manual transmission is probably a deal killer for CSteve, but its general condition is worth discussing.

Did Bavarias ever come with white/blue door panels like the one shown on this photo? They seems like an aftermarket touch to me.

584894a69d7e418c8daada07f752f819.jpg

I'm going to answer this without really knowing but I'm 100 percent sure that Bavarias never ever came with with 2 tone door panels. :)
 
I can tell you that the large chrome screws in the top of each door panel corner indicate a replacement, the original are tiny and almost invisible black screws.
 
Thanks Chris. If it had been automatic I still would have to get past those door panels. But would have manned up if it was the right car.
 
would it be easier to source an original motor and any other part currently on the car that bothers you?
Yes, I thought that too. Many e3 or e9 owners would be happy to swap their 2.8 or 3.0 engines for a 7 Series, B35 motor.

Or is the issue that your existing Bavaria lacks A/C? Retrofitting A/C would be a bit of a job, but still might be easier than bringing the examples suggested in this post up to your standards.
 
Dick and Company, I am an originalist. My previous 11 classics have been bone stock except for my stock appearing 74 euro coupe I took to the track. When I stopped tracking, age and reflexes, I sold my coupe to a new steward, it was time, and bought the automtic, ac equipped Bavaria for me and my wife to drive. I thought I would be okay with the B35 7 series motor and transmission, beautifully installed by Steve Petersen of Bluntech.

Well, three years later I find I really want that original big six and its automatic. I know, I know about those ancient automatics. I can live with one but not the gear hunting current resident. So that's where I am.

The 1970 2500 is exactly what I am looking for but the four speed is the deal breaker. I have neither the time nor the inclination to put a ZF automatic in the car. I want something I can drive now. To quote the 17th Century English poet Andrew Marvel, "But at my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying near." Well, the chariot is getting much closer than I would like.

PS: Some of you know the history of Lilli, my 1976 2002. I don't want to go there here. Sad.
 
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