1979 Hartge 323rs e21

[Bmachine]

You don’t see these very often in the US… assuming this is the real deal. I saw this on CL but don’t know anything else about it

1979 BMW 323i for sale by owner - Carmichael, CA - craigslist

Here I have a rare Clean Title Hartge bmw 323rs German import for sale. The vehicle is powered by a m20b25 motor it’s the 6cyl not the 4cyl is version also coupled with a very rare 5 speed dogleg...

sacramento.craigslist.org

 

[JMinPDX]

That price is too good to be true. I’m skeptical as to the voracity of the ad. If it’s a real Hartge it’s quite a deal

 

[Markos]

Wasn’t Evan selling this car like 6-12 months ago?

 

[nosmonkey]

Bit sceptical on it being a hartge, has a sport wheel on it and none of the hartge specific items other than maybe the seats? Even being a regular 323i would be a great deal if it is real over here. 10k will get you an average 4 cyl

 

[Arde]

Sold for 9k in 2020, so price is in line with its recent history.
Some challenging rust in the pictures:

M20-Powered 1979 BMW Hartge 323i RS

Bid for the chance to own a M20-Powered 1979 BMW Hartge 323i RS at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #31,174.

bringatrailer.com

Not sure how much Hartge content, the rims are not Hartge for sure.

 

[lip277]

Odd that the CL advert says 'phone calls only' - yet there is not a number listed that I could see....

 

[Dick Steinkamp]

Odd that the CL advert says 'phone calls only' - yet there is not a number listed that I could see....

Click on "reply" in the upper left corner.

 

[lip277]

Thanks Dick - I did click on that earlier, but only the email came up....

 

[bmw2800cs]

Worked for me:
Phone: (916) 289-4000
Email: [email protected]. (yeah it's the craigslist email that forwards to the seller and they said they won't respond to emails)

 

[shanon]

Went and drove this car last January when it was listed previously. Neat car, knowledgeable young enthusiast seller. From our conversation, some of the Hartge parts were 'harvested' prior to his ownership (wheels and motor). Has Hartge paperwork, wheels are Alpinas now, interior is nice. Has dogleg 5spd and all instruments are Euro.

Story: a PO unknowingly replaced the motor when it had issues with a 'normal' M20 and the Hartge is long gone. PO didnt know what he had.

Body has some issues but nothing that would scare an E9er

My 02: this would make a n excellent candidate for a hotrod '323'. Has all the bits you want, just add a built M20.

I would rock it if I had time and space....blah blah blah..

 

[rsporsche]

its a shame to have lost the Hartge engine. @shanon has the right idea - hotrod 323. a great m20 would be fun, a newer twin cam might be even better. the benefit of the m20 is that you can keep it looking original

 

[bmw2800cs]

its a shame to have lost the Hartge engine. @shanon has the right idea - hotrod 323. a great m20 would be fun, a newer twin cam might be even better. the benefit of the m20 is that you can keep it looking original

Also, a friend tells me that for an E21, the only street legal upgrade in California is an M20.

 

[shanon]

Also, a friend tells me that for an E21, the only street legal upgrade in California is an M20.

...unless you live in one of the few remaining rural CA counties (11?) where you can do anything you want w/ no SMOG requirements...until you go to sell it, then it has to pass. Just relocated to one of those counties and thoughts of legally dropping a V8 into my '95 Miata have crossed my mind....

 

[JFENG]

Hartge parts were 'harvested' prior to his ownership (wheels and motor).

Kind of hard to call it a Hartge anymore.

 

[rsporsche]

very true John ... exactly what i was thinking. really just a 323i with an engine change + hartge bits. if the car has hartge documentation + provenance, that is helpful but its the engine that really gives it value. i have been looking for an alpina c1 or b6 and this is the stumbling point in relation to value - what is the documentation and does it have the right engine. a hotrod engine in a 323i has a lot of interest for starters ... and certainly could command a high price, but the complete car with proper provenance / documentation of a true alpina, schnitzer or hartge is a whole different level.

 

[shanon]

Again NMNH, but thought some pics of the paperwork shared with me on my test drive would be of interest.
True that is is NOT what it once was anymore, but at the current selling price, it gives a new owner some room for a few possible directions.

-HTH

 

[Arde]

... Just relocated to one of those counties and thoughts of legally dropping a V8 into my '95 Miata have crossed my mind....

The thought itself may be illegal in other locales...