Description
This BMW E21 Baur is a survivor car, having been preserved in storage for 20+ years prior to its recent restoration. It has a great spec, original 5 speed manual, with factory fitted power steering, and now with e30 electronic fuel injection.
The history of the car:
This car was the passion project of a bodyshop owner, who stripped the car around the late 90’s and performed a full ‘glass out’ respray before putting a pause on the project.
The car was purchased by a friend of mine in the early 2000’s, but with a long reassembly list it found itself once again tucked away in the corner of a barn for another 15 years.
I was drawn in by the rarity and condition of the chassis, and in 2021 I managed to purchase the car with most of the original parts. I set about rebuilding the car from the original parts, whilst also sourcing missing items and rare additions.
The result is a sympathetic restoration using as many genuine Bmw parts from the original car as possible. Keeping the car as close to its original specification as possible, whilst ensuring it is safe and reliable for immediate use on modern roads. For this reason I have chosen to voluntarily put the car through an MOT test, despite it being MOT and Tax exempt. I wanted to kickstart its new life on the roads with some official MOT history (available online) as well as providing transparency and peace of mind to the new owner.
My aim was to keep the project achievable, and finally do the car justice by returning it to the road. This wasn’t a brand new nut and bolt restoration, but a loving rebuild that’s resulted in an affordable and usable classic. This leaves scope for the new owner to use, tinker or modify to their own taste without breaking the bank.
The paintwork is now around 30 years old, but despite the few areas of isolated storage damage, it has polished up incredibly, which is a testament to the quality and workmanship of the paintwork.
The chassis is free of rust, making it a great investment.
Specs:
BAUR Convertible roof and pop top in great condition
Rust free and honest bodywork
Original POWER STEERING steering rack and pump in full working condition (Very rare option on E21s)
HELLA front chin spoiler with Fog lights
HELLA Side skirts
Alpina wooden gear knob
ZENDER rear boot spoiler
Original Rev Counter Dash cluster
Genuine E21 Manual 5 speed gearbox with speedo drive
323i 2. 3l 6 cylinder engine
E30 electronic fuel injection conversion
Vented front discs and Rear disc brakes
Professionally refurbished 4 piston front brake calipers
(only found on 323i models)
TAX and MOT EXEMPT
10 Months MOT (tested voluntarily)
Alpina 13” rims with brand new tyres
All new brake and clutch hoses
Rebuilt brake master cylinder with oem ATE seals
New clutch slave and master cylinders
New flexi fuel lines and fuel tank seal
New washer jet motor
New Hella dual horns
New battery and mounting hardware
New exhaust gaskets and mounts
Full engine service (cam belt kit, water pump, exhaust & intake gaskets, coolant hoses etc)
All new fluids and filters (engine oil, coolant, PAS fluid, brake fluid, clutch fluid, Gearbox oil, Diff oil, Fuel filter, Engine oil filter)
New front lower arms and bushes
New front outer tie rod ends
Recent wheel alignment
Lowering springs
New number plates, wiper blades, fuses, brake light switch etc
Like any classic, it still wants a few bits tinkered with. The speedo has dropped out, although the original Speedo cable drive and e21 gearbox are fitted. The fuel gauge cycles but doesn’t register the level (likely fuel sender)
Early on in the restoration, Top Gear featured the car on their detailing show, spending a day uncovering the cars former glory. I have since revisited this with another full detail and valet to bring the car back to its full potential.
