Highlights
- Purchased through C&C for £12,900 in 2022
- Restored in 2021 and in wonderful condition
- Rare car particularly in this condition
- Original and unmodified car with great interior
- Only six registered keepers from new
- Part of a classic car collection kept in a heated showroom since February 2022
- Only being sold due to the vendors ill health
The Appeal
The 7-Series pushed BMW right into the heart of territory traditionally controlled by Mercedes-Benz. It had to be good, and it was. Where the W116 S-Class was boxy and - whisper it - a bit boring, the new BMW E23 was pretty (for which we can thank Paul Bracq) and very engaging for a big executive express.
Survivors are rare today, particularly ones this good. It is fitted with the 184bhp 3L straight six and the previous keeper restored it extensively in 2020 and 2021. The work covered a full bare metal respray in the original light blue colour. Other areas were refreshed but kept as original as possible.
The current keeper acquired it in 2022 and has kept it carefully stored as part of his collection. The result is a car that presents today much as it surely did the day that the restoration was completed. Only for sale as the collection is being reduced.
The E23 is the big, rare BMW you can reliably drive anywhere. They don’t come to market often and this one will appeal to marque fans and saloon enthusiasts.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st August 1979
- Six registered keeper
- Current keeper since February 2022
- V5C in current keeper’s name
- Registered as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEX exempt
- Clear HPI report from February 2022
- Record of parts from 2020 and 2021 acquired from BMW Stratstone
- Extensively restored by previous keeper with details below
- 2 sets of keys as shown
- Factory handbook as shown
The previous keeper acquired the car around five years ago and immediately began renovating and refreshing the car. In 2020, the 730 was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed in the same shade of metallic blue in which it left the factory. Where necessary – most notably in the inner and outer sills – rust was cut out and replaced with new metal.
Since completion, he continued the process of updating worn trim as suitable parts have come to market. The brakes have also lately been fettled and the wheels refurbished, and indeed, the car comes with a new caliper kit and a fresh set of pads.
The car was acquired in early 2022 by the current keeper who has carefully stored it as part of his private collection.
The Condition
- Bare metal respray in correct light blue metallic in 2020 with little driven use since then
- Paintwork in very good order with few signs of age due to recent fettling
- Straight and well kept bodywork with recent refurbishment including new panels
- Attractive factory specification including refurbished 14in lattice alloys and front spoiler
- Well kept exterior fittings including lights, trim, bumpers and glasswork
- Many of these features were refurbished or replaced during the restoration
- Matching spare wheel
- Underside in good order with evidence of protective undersealing as shown
- Very well preserved blue velour interior with original fittings
- Due to the originality some trim shows light aging such as veneers
- Velour seats in very good condition with some light sun fade
- Blue carpets are well kept with door cards and headlining in similar order
- Dash top and switchgear in good, original condition
- No reported electrics, switchgear or lighting faults
- No dashboard warning lights advised
Resprayed in its original shade of light blue metallic, this shark-nosed BMW retains the sharp lines that made the model stand out against other executive saloons at launch.
The finish is excellent across the car with a consistent gloss across all panels and different materials. Another aspect that makes this car look so smart is the condition of the trim, much of which, as already mentioned, is quite new.
Panel fit is very good with consistently narrow shut lines around the car. The big doors - and the bonnet – open and close smoothly without creaking or sagging.
The cabin of the BMW retains all the quality – and late-Seventies executive vibe – that it was given by its designers. Fairly unusually, this Seven Series is trimmed in blue-grey velour rather than leather. The material has obviously been well looked after and has stood the test of time very well.
The velour maintains a deep and consistent colour (there is a slightly different colour patch on the rear seats, where a newspaper was laid – for a number of years!), but the contrast is not drastic.
Carpets are similarly clean and the edges of mats straight. Looking up, you will notice that the headlining is exceptionally clean and taut.
The engine bay was not painted in the respray, but nonetheless looks quite presentable and the paint in this area in pretty good condition. The engine and its ancillaries appear ‘weathered’ but robust. There are no signs of leaks, though some components do show light oxidation or surface rust – in the case of some of the plumbing. The main cooling hoses and their jubilee clips appear strong and healthy, as does the radiator and fan.
At the other end of the car, the metal in the boot looks very sound, with no evidence of damp or rotting in either area. Rubber seals also appear to be supple and in very good health. Hinges and struts keep both lids firmly aloft.
The underside of the car appears to be in good shape. The inner and outer sills on both sides were replaced and the work appears to have been nicely done. All major chassis components appear very robust and the underside of the car well sealed. The fuel tank is free of scrapes or dents and the rear section of the exhaust looks fairly new. The deep front spoiler bears no scars and the rear valance is new.
The Mechanics
- 184bhp 2,984cc M30 straight six engine
- Solex carburettor model
- 3spd automatic gearbox
- Extensive mechanical overhaul when restored
- Barely used since restoration completed
- No reported running or driving issues
The M30 straight six powered a series of sporting and saloon BMWs before it arrived in the E23. It is a very reliable unit and in this 730 delivers 184bhp to the rear wheels via a 3spd automatic gearbox.
The car has covered few miles since the restoration work was completed, a process that included checking and overhauling the mechanicals. The car has recently been in dry storage and is reported to be free of mechanical or running gear faults.
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