"From Bavaria with Love" ?

[MMercury]

Some time ago I noticed a nice E9 writeup that credits this forum, among other sources, for some of its authorities. It also has some nice pictures of an E9 that may belong to someone here.

I resisted mentioning the link expecting it has been previously referenced on this board and because it is easy enough to locate. If it hasn't been mentioned before, it probably deserves a link in the tech section. Of course, if this is old news, Administrators, "tear down this wall," or rather, "feel free to delete."

http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/content/article/130.html

At the risk of offending others who feel this is off topic, here are some other write ups by the same author (A. Severson) that might be worth a quick look see

http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/content/article/191.html

http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/content/article/140.html

http://ateupwithmotor.com/component/content/article/72.html

 

[jranmann]

This guy is brilliant and if you've read what's going on below us in "Discussions" re: market values for the CSL's ...like children...I am hardly offended and actually wish to thank you for forwarding what appears to be good solid information.... something that's been sorely lacking here, as of late.

Cheers!

Ran

 

[jranmann]

3200cs

This advert lists this car as a '68 2800CS but to me it appears to be a 3200CS.

Whatcha think? It's been on advert CA for almost a year...
Sellers lists as having bad transmission...one of the 603?

1968 BMW 2800CS, straight body,sun damaged upholstery, ran good when I parked it several years ago.
(transmission went out) Beautiful body style

Cheers!

Ran

 

[jmackro]

The article MMercury posted provides a great summary of the history of BMW through the e9 era. It ends with the quote:

"What we must respect about BMW as a company is not its performance, its styling, or its financial success, but its impressive sense of focus. That's not to say it hasn't periodically lost its way, or that all its decisions have been good ones, but the company has stuck to its guns for more than four decades. In a business that tends to water down every good idea and that seems always to chase the lowest common denominator, that's an admirable achievement, even if the results aren't always to taste."

Personally, I believe that when the author wrote this in 2008 his perspective was about a decade off - by that time, and certainly by today, BMW does water down every good idea, chasing the common denominator.

 

[JhwShark]

Mercury man,
Thanks for the pics...as a fan and owner/driver of a 3.0 CSi and a Porsche 928 (both SHARKS), it is nice to see them considered -- From Bavaria with Love!!

They are both great to enjoy, appreciate, maintain, and let run...
Jon

 

[JhwShark]

This white coupe has electric defogger in the rear window. Would that be original on the 3200? I think not...probabaly a 2800cs; also, the interior at the tunnel with the shifter apears to be early 2800, IMHO...
Jon

 

['69 2800cs]

Whatcha think? It's been on advert CA for almost a year...


Nah...the white car is a 2800CS. The interior shot is from a different car, looks like a 2002. The giveaway is there is a B pillar at the front of the rear side window.

Other differences-the white car has beltline trim and front fender grilles, those are not on the 3200.

That 3200 sure is pretty though...

 

[JhwShark]

Nah...the white car is a 2800CS. The interior shot is from a different car, looks like a 2002. The giveaway is there is a B pillar at the front of the rear side window.

Other differences-the white car has beltline trim and front fender grilles, those are not on the 3200.

That 3200 sure is pretty though...

Good eye...didn't catch the B-pillar...it does look like my first 2002. Also, the 3200 has wood dash and this interior is not -- quite sure of the 2002 now.

 

[jranmann]

There were a few produced but I personally haven't ever seen a '68 model 2800CS but the body here (not the interior) is reminiscent of the 3200CS. Note the cover over what may be a sunroof?

Does anyone know for sure just what this white car is?

 

[MMercury]

Returning to this thread is like F. Gump opening up a box of chocolates or is it like deciding on the many ways to market shrimp. :wink:

Looking at other 3200cs pictures certainly suggests it inspired (or provided off-the-shelf parts) for an entire line of 60's and early 70's BMW showrooms. (Someone had a strong fondness for bullseye taillights.) For more on the 3200 See: "setting the standard" http://www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=368&Itemid=131

The 3200 side silhouette (first picture) is probably the most flattering of the bunch. Other shots evoke styling (to me) from a much earlier era. I submit the designers of the E9 took the best of the 3200 and pushed it in the right direction.

Other miscellaneous pictures may be 3200 derivatives or - maybe - the other way around? One-Two-Three degrees of separation? Chaos theory or trend lines? A good deal on tailights dictated styling for much of the industry? Just random connections. Make your own calls.

(As before, Administrators - feel free to delete or move to off topic.)

And while we're at it: Did Leyland ever test for steroids?

 

['69 2800cs]

I think it's clear this is a 2800cs!

Holes for the beltline trim, tail lights, fender grilles, bumpers, wheels, hubcaps. There ain't a thing in the below picture to indicate it's anything but.

 

[jranmann]

The potpourri of photos from two different cars (02 interior), suggests the possibility that "Marty" is not much more familiar with the car than we viewers. The existence of the mix and match photos does not bolster my confidence that this vehicle is accurately advertised as 68 or a 72. Perhaps, it is just believed-to-be a 68 or that is what a DMV official capriciously designated it as such. Even if a 68, the passage of that many years and undocumented lineage could explain many restorative efforts.

Intelligently put Nashville...the mix of pictures plus the apparent slight differences in the body shell from the ones I have seen on the (this appears more rounded) 1969 onwards e9 got me to thinking it might be an unusual variant, etc...Thanks!

Ran

 

[MMercury]

Deja vu?

Another article on some obscure model? :wink:

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curb...-1974-bmw-3-0-cs-the-ultimate-driving-legacy/

These cars were not cheap to operate, either. Build quality was good, but not quite bulletproof like a contemporary Mercedes-Benz. The CS required frequent maintenance (such as tune-ups every 8,000 miles), but if maintained properly the cars were generally reliable. However, one notorious problem area was rust. Even cars in dry climates rusted badly, often in unseen areas such as around the windshield frames, so that when finally discovered, the rust was at an advanced stage.

The 3.0 CS was never intended to be a sales success. Its reason for being was to bring prestige and respect to a BMW brand that had high aspirations. An example of this strategy is shown in the above ad, where the text references that 3.0 CS owners “include quite a number of the rich and famous… film stars and even a dash of royalty.” The strategy to move upmarket worked, and BMW surged to success with the models that followed the E9’s era, particularly in North America. When this car was sold in 1974, BMW sold 15,000 total cars in the U.S. Five years later, that figure more than doubled; five years after that it doubled again. While not all of that success can be attributed to the CS, this car certainly did more than its fair share to build a foundation for BMW to proclaim itself The Ultimate Driving Machine.