Description
For sale is my 1975 BMW E21. This an extremely early example of an E21 and highly believed to be the oldest car still on the roads today. I have owned the car for several years but the time has come to move it onto a new owner that will enjoy it and look after it for years to come.
This E21 has a number of features that set it apart from later models and are unique to very very early cars. The most notable feature is the lack of black plastic panel between the rear lights which gives the rear of the car an entirely unique appearance compared to other E21's. As well as this, the "automatic" badge on the rear was almost immediately removed from production models in late 1975. Inside, the car has a very slim steering wheel similar to what is often found in 1602 and 2002 models, again soon replaced in early months of production. The seat belts don't have integrated buckles and instead use an interesting push-down lock mechanism to retain the belt in the centre.
This particular car is a first production month 3 series model, built in November 1975 when RHD assembly first commenced. It is VIN number 50 off of the production line for all RHD models and has been verified by BMW as a November 1975 build. The car was featured in Total BMW magazine in 2003 as "The earliest 3 series you'll ever see" where they claimed it to be certainly the oldest RHD model left, potentially the oldest worldwide. I have a copy of the magazine with the car and the full article is included in the photos linked below. The car is also featuring in an upcoming issue of Autocar magazine (I believe released in September) to celebrate 50 years of the BMW 3 series.
The car is in largely original condition inside and out. The paintwork is believed to be mostly original although there is evidence of a late 90's/ early 2000's refresh where the wings and bonnet were repainted. Inside the interior is in great shape and is all original to my knowledge. The seats are a mix of leather with fabric centres and are complimented well by the blue carpet and blue leather door cards. The wheels are 13" E21 alloys, I also have the original 13" steel wheels for the car which are included in the sale.
The engine is a 2. 0 litre M10 4 cylinder (unlike the 2 litre 6 cylinder that followed in the late 70's) and is carburettor fed. The gearbox is a 3 speed automatic which functions exactly as it should and in my eyes only adds to the cars character and charm when floating along country lanes on a summer evenings. The car has been converted to run on a Weber carburettor after the original BMW carb failed and was hard to source a replacement for. The standard airbox has been modified to suit the Weber and retain standard appearance with new improved Weber reliability. It also has been converted to electronic ignition with a water cooled choke.
Mechanically the car is sound and has clearly been looked after by previous owners and myself over the years to keep it in the condition it is in.
I've made great efforts to formally verify this car as the oldest remaining E21. I have spoken with a number of people including BMW Group Classic and thoroughly researched online and am yet to find an older example anywhere. Total BMW magazine's findings even back in 2003 would suggest the same.
This isn't a concourse car and although is great condition has some points worth noting:
- The bonnet has some paint blistering that is hard to see or photograph but exists across most of the panel.
- The centre section of the chrome rear bumper has some rust creeping through. In the magazine feature its noted that this section was replaced (i would suspect with a non-genuine section which is why the corrosion has occurred.)
- Both rear lights have cracks in the inner reverse light section.
- There are a few other marks and imperfections in the paint around the car, i've done the best job I can to include these in the photo album listed below.
- The drivers seat has a section of edge piping that has come away from the seat near where it meets the seat belt/ door, approx 4 inches long. There are no tears to the material and this could probably be glued back in place.
The car also comes with a fair amount of paperwork from over the years, including the original BMW service book. I have a copy of the Total BMW magazine where the car was featured which is also included, and the original 13" BMW steel wheels the car was originally sold on as it is shown in the magazine feature.
Please see further images of the car here. : - details above
Please contact me for any more information. This is the oldest known 3 series on the roads and is 50 years old this year. An incredible time warp back to the 1970's and the birth of one of the most iconic and influential car models of the modern world. Absolutely full of character and a joy to own!
