1964 BMW 1800 – Project Profile

Before the E numbers, before the M Sports and before radiator grilles so offensive they should be put in front of a magistrate, there was a simpler, purer BMW. The BMW we have today is a seemingly unstoppable force of automotive energy. It’s also an aspirational brand, one we associate with having a bit money, one that we’d all be happy to have on the driveway. Well, unless it’s one of the cars with the aforementioned grille. You certainly don’t look at BMW in 2022 and think of it as being a company that needs saving. But once upon a time it was, and the car that did it was this, the humble BMW 1800. A basic, no nonsense machine that would set out the future of the brand as a maker of sporty saloons.

In the 1950s, BMW was in a bad way. The war had seen the company take heavy losses to both workforce and infrastructure. Problems for the company were further compounded by the fact it wasn’t allowed, as part of post-war rulings, to produce cars. It survived by making pots and pans as well as bicycles. Eventually, BMW could make cars again, and did so with the Isetta microcar. It wasn’t really enough though, and by 1959 BMW was in talks to be bought by Daimler-Benz. In the end, however, third-party investment saved the company. The BMW 700 further aided the company’s recovery, and then the Neue Klasse that we have here cemented the company’s future. It might be a rare sight today, but was in fact crucial to the future of BMW.

What is it? 

A 1964 BMW 1800. The Neue Klasse was launched in 1962 with the 1500, but it was the 1800 that was the biggest hit. Powered by a 1,766cc M10 four-cylinder petrol engine, it was sporty and refined. It also handled incredibly well thanks to MacPherson struts up front and independent suspension out back – rare for the time. A handsome saloon, it was as rewarding to look at as it was to drive. It was fiercely reliable, too, which helped drive home BMWs reputation for quality. It was also the car that would introduce the Hofmeister kink, a design detail still seen on BMWs of today. Look at at the back line of the side windows; that little outward kink – that’s that. This car was deigned by Wilhelm Hofmeister, who had no idea of the design legacy he would leave.

Why is it a project? 

Fifty years ago, after clocking up a mere 38,000 miles, this BMW 1800 was driven into a garage and that was that. It didn’t leave again until this year. That dust and debris you see on the car has accumulated from five decades of dry storage. And it was indeed dry, as other than some small patches of rust, the seller states the car is remarkably solid. Furthermore, while the body and patina have been left untouched, the seller has taken the time to get the car moving under its own steam once again. New brake lines, new clutch and brake master cylinders, a fuel system flush, new plugs and a new coil and battery saw the old BMW 1800 awaken from its slumber. Though this could actually be a very light restoration, if you wanted to keep that hard-earned patina. Certainly, the interior looks like it needs nothing more than a wipe down and a short date with a Dyson. This BMW 1800 is, make no mistake, one hell of a find.

Five things to look for:

1) Rust

The seller states that the car is remarkably solid, which is great news. However, it would be remiss of us to not encourage you to have a good poke about underneath. There are some signs of rust on the boot lid, but that’s all we can see. Fingers crossed, this car is in need of no metal work, but it’s been tucked away for fifty years, so you need to check.

2) Rubber Bits

The tyres are scrap, that’s a given. They’ll be dry rotted after all this time. But what about the door seals, the window seals, the suspension bushes, the engine hoses and coolant hoses, so on and so forth. This will have almost certainly perished and cracked over the years, and replacing it all might be tricky.

3) Interior

It looks to need nothing more than a quick clean, and even has an original Faux Orange air freshener in place (remember those?). It also looks complete, which is great news, as finding parts is going to be hard, especially anything that is right hand-drive specific. Check everything can be used and/or restored. It looks remarkably good though, so fingers crossed there is nothing of concern to uncover.

4) Trim

Again, the car strikes us as being incredibly honest and original. All the trim looks to be present and correct, and this is a good thing. The BMW 1800 is a rare car, and finding parts is going to be difficult. Have a look over the body and see how restorable all the trim and fittings are. Spend extra time on things like the bumpers and lights, as these will be the most difficult to replace.

5) Engine

The engine is running again, which is great news. But how well does it run? Don’t go in expecting miracles – it’s been parked up for fifty years, but do go in looking for the usual issues. Is it leaking fuel, water or oil. How is the exhaust, and is there any untoward smoke? Does the engine sound healthy, or does it sound like the Terminator gargling forks? The good news is the M10 is easy to look after, so unless it spits out a rod, anything is fixable.

What should you do with it? 

It would, and this is just our opinion, be criminal to do anything but an ‘as stock’ restoration to this car. It deserves it. A rare survivor that has clearly been stored away in the most remarkable, forgiving (if dusty) of environments. To change it, to put a different engine in it, to… ugh… modify it. No, that wouldn’t suit. To be honest, we would be inclined to go over it mechanically and once all refreshed and refurbished, get it professionally detailed as is. That interior will come up like new if the pictures aren’t lying, and we would be inclined to think the body would come up well, too. And then keep it like that. Embrace the patina and imperfections – it’s earned them.