Description
I have prepared this listing on behalf of my dear friend and retired classic BMW restorer Mr Graham Juffs, who is reducing his private car collection. Graham is well known in classic BMW circles and owns a number of immaculate rare historic BMWs and Glas cars, and has restored many rare historic BMW's.
Only 277 examples of this imposing 2. 6 litre GT coupe were ever built by BMW (all in LHD), making it an exceptionally rare and desirable vehicle. It has a current full MOT and is driven regularly. The car has covered only 15600 km (9750 miles) since it’s comprehensive four-year restoration which was completed in early 2016.
A comprehensive photo record showing all details and aspects of the car and the entire restoration is shown in the attached photos and at a link which can be emailed on request.
The matching numbers car comes with considerable documentation, original purchase invoices from the Munich dealership, service manual, maintenance book, sales literature, a booklet of restoration images and photos of John Surtees admiring the car. Graham will be happy to answer any questions that serious buyers may have about the car's provenance or restoration, but it’s best to phone him for clear details. As a LHD car, overseas buyers are welcome, and help with local transport and accommodation can be organised if you wish to travel and view the car from abroad provided Covid restrictions allow.
Background
The restoration of this car was essentially a retirement project after Graham finally acquired it from Ken Stevens, the first owner, after trying to buy it from him for over 24 years! Ken, a former military officer based in Germany, purchased the car in the 1970’s from a Munich dealer (probably as an ex-demonstrator) at the height of the fuel crisis. Sadly, on one trip home the car was involved in a cosmetic front-end shunt, after driving home whereby the car was stored in a London lock-up where it lay un-repaired for nearly three decades.
Finally, Grahams persistence paid off and in 2013 Ken agreed to sell the car but only on the understanding that he agreed to restore it fully, and on completion take him to lunch in it! Four years later that promise was fulfilled. Apparently, it was an emotional reunion!
Restoration & Rebuild
Following purchase, the car was transported to Graham's workshop (B & M Workshops now run by his son and partner in Kent), where it was stripped to a plain shell and taken back to bare metal. All corrosion was cut out and new sections fabricated and welded into place as required. Floors, sills, door skins, top sections, engine compartment sides, inner wings , wheel arches, boot lid skin, bonnet skin, entire front section, and parts of the bulkhead all required attention. All the metalwork was undertaken by Kent body specialist Lewis Barrow. The car was carefully prepared before being painted in a two-pack 'BMW Chamois', a Light Ivory colour.
Once removed from the car, the V8 engine was shipped to Germany to be rebuilt by specialist Juergen Bengsch, who came highly recommended by the German Glas Club, as he had all the spares required. This was a no expense spared rebuild, using a brand-new crankshaft, pistons, conrods, valves etc. All internal parts are new. Juergen recommended as part of the rebuild that the engine be rebored and upgraded to 3. 0 ltrs from 2. 6ltrs to increase the power to 160 bhp and also converting to run on unleaded fuel. The triple Solex carburettor setup on this car was very forward thinking for the 1960’s. When cruising only the central carburettor is employed (for fuel economy) all three only being used when accelerating. The carburettors were also shipped to Germany to be rebuilt, restored and set up by a specialist.
Modern electronic ignition and distributor were added during the engine rebuild, and an electric fuel ‘lifter’ pump was installed, providing a ‘twin’ fuel system alongside the manual pump.
The gearbox and rear axle were stripped and rebuilt with all new seals, and the prop shaft dismantled, checked re-lubricated and painted. A more modern and advanced clutch system from 3. 0 Ltr BMW E9 coupe was also fitted for durability.
The suspension was completely dismantled, paint stripped, repainted, re-bushed and new pivot pins fitted. Extra leaves were manufactured for the rear, and all springs were re tempered and re assembled. New upgraded self-levelling rear shock absorbers were fitted at the rear and new Koni ‘adjustables’ at the front. New tyres were fitted but tyre size has been enlarged to 205-70-R14 from 185-70-R14 which both improve the ride and appearance. This upgraded front and rear suspension set up has considerably improved the original handling.
All electrical components were fully refurbished, starter motor, screen wiper motor, and an alternator was installed.
The brake cylinders and servo were sent to a specialist for reconditioning. New disks and pads were fitted, and new brake pipes made up. The power steering and water pumps were overhauled, and the original radiator re-cored with aftermarket twin slimline electric fans fitted during installation in the car.
A new stainless-steel exhaust system was fabricated and fitted.
The original grill was sadly damaged beyond repair, so a new one was manufactured and the chrome trim that had been badly impacted in the accident was reshaped, repaired and fully restored. All bright work was either re-chromed or re-polished, the bumpers being stainless steel. A set of period fog lights were purchased and installed under the front bumper.
Originally vinyl, the interior was professionally re-trimmed in smoky blue Scottish leather, with a number of non-standard but sensible interior upgrades. The front seats were modified before re-trimming to accept E9 Coupe headrests for safety, along with an intermittent windscreen wiper function, and a third ‘high level’ brake light. New velour carpeting and over-mats were made and installed throughout, including lining the boot floor and sides. New door cards were made and also trimmed in leather, and a new headlining was manufactured to the original specification and fitted ahead of replacing the front and rear screens. New front and rear passenger ‘period’ seat belts were fitted by a specialist and the attractive original steering wheel was stripped and restored to complete the interior. The boot floor panels were re-manufactured and finished to a good standard, the jack and tools were refurbished and/ or replaced.
Post restoration
This BMW has proven to be a very comfortable reliable four-seater coupe enhanced by inboard disc brakes, self-levelling suspension and power steering. It is economical for its day, with a long-range fuel tank and plenty of boot space. A better German built grand tourer built to carry four adults in comfort didn’t exist in 1966.
Since restoration, the car has undertaken many long-distance trips to the continent. I was lucky enough to accompany Graham on the first major ‘shakedown’ trip after restoration, a journey to the Essen Techno Classica classic car in Northern Germany. This fulfilled a promise to Uwe Gusen, president of Glas Club International to make the car available for display on their stand at the show that year. The car was incredibly comfortable and at home on the autoroutes. It ran well throughout and received much admiration at the show.
More continental trips followed, included driving to the annual Glas Club Treffen in Bassemburg, near Strasbourg via a visit to Epernay in the Champagne region in 2016, and the Glas Treffen again at Osnabruck Germany in 2017.
A fabulous camping trip followed to Classic Le Mans in 2017, where I drove in my own 1967 BMW 2000CS Coupe in tandem, which was followed by a week-long event with the local Kent motoring club near Honfleur in 2018,
Long distance events like this have enabled Graham to fully test the complete rebuild of this excellent V8 Grand Tourer and to fine tune its handling and reliability in all weathers.
This is a unique opportunity to buy a comfortable, properly restored quality GT car, with nothing to do. It's new owner will certainly be guaranteed exclusivity. It's currently only one of two in the UK, but wherever you live, you are unlikely to every see another… unless you happen to be at the Glas Club Treffen!
Please note: The registration number "66 BMW" is for sale by separate negotiation and is NOT part of the sale. It would be of no value to an overseas buyer registering the car outside the UK.
Featured in Aug 2022 Classic & Sportscar magazine.
