HIGHLIGHTS
* Lovingly restored classic
* Original interior
* Rare 1800 model
* Nice original features
* Well presented
THE APPEAL
Reported by many to be the car which saved BMW from financial collapse, the BMW 1800 Neue Klasse is somewhat of a rare model nowadays, often outshone by the more famous 2002.
This beautiful 1800 has been superbly restored by a previous owner on the exterior over a two-year period, bringing it back to its former glory, but retaining the original interior for that added touch of character and patina.
The car has had an extensive body restoration, including the underside and engine bay which all look to have been completed to a high standard. When rebuilding the car, many of the original trim parts have been reused to retain the originality.
Since the car was completed, it has been dry stored for some months and the seller has decided to part with it to enable him to finish restoring another classic BMW.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft and has no finance owing.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
* V5 is present with just three previous keepers
* Registered 30th September 1970
* Registered in the UK 1st August 2018
The BMW was reportedly sold into Holland, where it is said to have stayed with the same keeper for over 40 years.
Unfortunately, this is not backed up with any paperwork as the history file has been lost at some point whilst in the UK, meaning that any paperwork is missing, other than the V5.
As mentioned, the car was restored over two years and finished approximately six months ago.
With the vehicle running as it should, it has been used just a handful of times when the weather permits; other than that, it has been kept in a dry garage.
THE EXTERIOR
* Letterbox Red
* Repainted inside and out
* Original chrome trim
* Alpina decals
Finished in Letterbox Red, the BMW 1800 presents well both on the exterior and underside.
Starting at the front, the chrome work on the car is reported to all be original, which is in very good condition showing just the odd mark, as you would expect for the age.
The headlights and spotlights are in good order, with no cracking to the lenses, and the reflectors inside look in good order with a bright finish. The bonnet aligns as it should and opens and closes with ease.
Looking to the sides of the Neue Klasse, the car is nice and straight, with no dings or dents to point out. The trim, which runs all the way around the car, has some light scratches as it is original.
The doors appear to align as they should, with an even panel gap around each side, and the windows look to be in good order with just some light age-related scratches, as you would expect.
The chrome trim is in nice condition, and the rubber seals show minimal signs of any perishing or shrinking.
The rear is also in good condition, with the boot lid shutting nice and tight; it sits flat and even. The light lenses show no cracks or splits, and there has been a fog light fitted to the back panel at some point whilst it was in Holland, as it’s installed to the left.
The wheels are the originals which also have the original hub caps. These do have some minor dings and dents, which they have collected over the years. On each corner, the tyres have a good amount of tread remaining.
The underside has been coated in black stone guard, which has not been applied so thickly that it hides everything.
Instead, a light coating gives it relevant protection whilst still showing there is nothing to hide.
THE INTERIOR
* Original interior
* Excellent carpets
* Well presented throughout
* Time warp back to 1970
Inside the BMW is reported to be the original interior, which is in good condition, showing just some light patina where the material has stretched a little on the seats.
There is a small hole in the driver's seat's vinyl; but apart from that, they look free from any other damage. The rear seat is in the same condition, with just some light stretching to the fabric. The door cards on all four doors are damage free. There are some light scuffs to the front door cards, but nothing too excessive.
The dashboard shows no signs of any cracks or splits, and the silver trim across the front is in good order. This also holds the switches that are also in good condition with just some light age related wear to the lettering.
The steering wheel is in good order, with a few light signs of wear, and just behind, the instruments are reported to be working correctly with the exception of the fuel gauge. The odometer shows a reading of 7, 063 kilometres.
Under your feet, the carpets are in good condition, and they are clean with very light wear to be seen. Above, the headlining is nice and tight all over and has no damage or staining to mention.
Inside the boot has been finished in red with a Raptor style coating to protect it. Two vinyl covered panels cover the fuel tank, spare wheel, and the original jack.
THE MECHANICS
* Original 1800cc M10 engine
* Four-speed gearbox
* Recently serviced
* Starts on the button
During the restoration, the engine was removed from the car, and the bay was treated, like the boot, in a hard wearing red Raptor style coating.
With the engine refitted, it has been given a full service, and the BMW M10 engine fires up straight away, with no hesitation, and there are no untoward noises coming from the well-presented engine bay.
It pulls well through the four-speed gearbox, and the change is reported to be quite smooth and precise, as you would expect.
As the vehicle has not long been finished, all of the braking system has been refurbished, ensuring everything is working as it should.