Classic BMW appreciation thread

[Orjan]

Anyone here like classic BMWs? Post up pics of pre-1983 cars (since the E30s have their own thread...)

My contribution

From http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39558




E12




E21




Neue Klasse



^ That's an 1800 Ti/SA - the M3 of the 60's...

700




More?

[patrikman]

[2112]

[DarrenW]

Car 80 - Colin Kingsnorth and Julian Bricknell - 1965 BMW 1800 Tisa by retromotoring, on Flickr


Red BMW Dixi by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW 3.0 CSL at Bad Tölz by retromotoring, on Flickr


1967 BMW 700 by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW 2002 by retromotoring, on Flickr

[DarrenW]

BMW 2000 Tilux by retromotoring, on Flickr


White BMW 2002 convertible by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW E3 2500 by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW Isetta 300 by retromotoring, on Flickr


Green BMW 700 Convertible by retromotoring, on Flickr

[DarrenW]

Blue BMW 2002 Touring by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW 3.0CS by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW 2000 by retromotoring, on Flickr


P8100173 by retromotoring, on Flickr


BMW 501 "Baroque Angel" by retromotoring, on Flickr

[Galrot]

[Boogety Boogety]

I just love those little-bitty 700s. Still see one once in a while overseas, but they're becoming quite scarce. Love it love it love it...

[Air and water do mix]

I just love those little-bitty 700s. Still see one once in a while overseas, but they're becoming quite scarce. Love it love it love it...

I like their looks, too. Aren't they based off of the mechanicals of the 600 Isetta and motorcycles, though? How would they drive? If they drove as good as they look, then they'd be fine but I doubt that's the case. The "Neue Klasse" on the other hand, is a good car to drive and I'd imagine that even the early cars (think '62 or so) would drive acceptably well today. I doubt that could be said of the 700, but hey, I haven't driven one so I can't really say.

Does anyone have direct experience with them? I've always been curious about them.

[Air and water do mix]

^ That's an 1800 Ti/SA - the M3 of the 60's...

Came to post this.

Also: Not much pre-war love, folks?

[geofftii2002]

I like their looks, too. Aren't they based off of the mechanicals of the 600 Isetta and motorcycles, though? How would they drive? If they drove as good as they look, then they'd be fine but I doubt that's the case. The "Neue Klasse" on the other hand, is a good car to drive and I'd imagine that even the early cars (think '62 or so) would drive acceptably well today. I doubt that could be said of the 700, but hey, I haven't driven one so I can't really say.

Does anyone have direct experience with them? I've always been curious about them.

I had the pleasure of restoring one for a client (a major collector of significant BMWs) many years ago. His was a rare 700S (sport) with the dual carburetor, high compression flat twin out back. It was a fascinating little car! Everything was so light and delicate. The decklids were alloy if I remember correctly, and everything down to the wheel trims felt like they were made of paper! I recall going slightly mad trying to source the unusual checkered pattern upholstery and eventually found some via an Isetta parts guy who had some connections in Germany.

But anyway, the car was surprisingly brisk to drive. It's lightness went a long way to help performance and it was just a real joy to pilot. The gearchange was a little awkward, but the steering was kart-like in precision and the flat twin motorcycle engine had enough grunt to keep you rolling along quite nicely. It wasn't as fast as a Mini, but once the momentum was there you could keep up easily. You just have to adjust your driving style and carry as much speed as you dare to save you from having to accelerate again.

Man, not that I'm thinking about it, I really miss that little car!

[In 4 Bagels, Left Hungry]

Here are a few i have laying around my computer...

[geofftii2002]

Pre-War love is here!

Here's a car we restored just recently, it's off to the Mille Miglia:

[IMG] DSC_0284 by geofftii2002, on Flickr[/IMG]

[In 4 Bagels, Left Hungry]

more.. i seem to have a pension for M1s

[Chris_V]

[Air and water do mix]

I had the pleasure of restoring one for a client (a major collector of significant BMWs) many years ago. His was a rare 700S (sport) with the dual carburetor, high compression flat twin out back...

Thanks for the input! It does indeed sound fun.

Is there any way to make them a little stronger that is period correct? Not that I'm going to be getting one, but I'm always curious.

Also, are they 4 speeds and what's the deal with shifting? Was it the ergonomic layout, were they non-synchro or was it just vague? (or something else?)

[geofftii2002]

Thanks for the input! It does indeed sound fun.

Is there any way to make them a little stronger that is period correct? Not that I'm going to be getting one, but I'm always curious.

Also, are they 4 speeds and what's the deal with shifting? Was it the ergonomic layout, were they non-synchro or was it just vague? (or something else?)

IIRC it was a four speed. This being an S, it had floor shift. I can't speak for the standard cars without doing a little research. But I do remember that the gearchange was not unlike that of an early Porsche 356 (maybe one with worn shift linkage and a tired gearbox!). There's some vagueness and the definite feel that you're operating rods and links and not shift forks.

[Air and water do mix]

Pre-War love is here!

Here's a car we restored just recently, it's off to the Mille Miglia:

OK, now I'm starting not to like you. At all.

Daaaaaaamn. That's sweet.

[Air and water do mix]

IIRC it was a four speed. This being an S, it had floor shift. I can't speak for the standard cars without doing a little research. But I do remember that the gearchange was not unlike that of an early Porsche 356 (maybe one with worn shift linkage and a tired gearbox!). There's some vagueness and the definite feel that you're operating rods and links and not shift forks.

Ah. So nothing I'm not used to already then. Got it.

[Boogety Boogety]

Green BMW 700 Convertible

I have never seen one of these. Didn't even know they existed. I would love to see one and drive one...

I like their looks, too. Aren't they based off of the mechanicals of the 600 Isetta and motorcycles, though? How would they drive? If they drove as good as they look, then they'd be fine but I doubt that's the case. The "Neue Klasse" on the other hand, is a good car to drive and I'd imagine that even the early cars (think '62 or so) would drive acceptably well today. I doubt that could be said of the 700, but hey, I haven't driven one so I can't really say...

I have never driven one, or even sat in one: As I say, they are getting to be extraordinarily rare in my Italian neck of the woods. People there tend to keep their cars forever, it seems, and the survivors seem to fall into two discrete groups: Old cars that are falling apart, but being kept together by any means possible, using parts and techniques that would shame Cuban mechanics; and old cars that are pristine, beloved, well-attended, lovingly driven, and jealously guarded. Sadly, the 700s, even though I rarely see them, have always been of the former variety. I've don't recall ever seeing a nice one...

[slirt]

now there's a coupe roofline i've never seen before on this model!

Nissan did an excellent job emulating it, too:

[MylesPH1]

Ooohh my new favorite thread.

The ongoing E24 project, the day I got it:



'83 633CSI manual, typical California car - no rust, mechanically sound, but badly faded paint and a lot of cracked and warped interior pieces. It won't be too hard to bring back to life, should be presentable soon (knocks on wood).

[DarrenW]

I have never seen one of these. Didn't even know they existed. I would love to see one and drive one...

I'd never seen one before either!


Green BMW 700 Convertible by retromotoring, on Flickr

Beautiful

[scoTT la rock]

i own and appreciate this heap:



good times, good times

[Air and water do mix]

I have never driven one, or even sat in one: As I say, they are getting to be extraordinarily rare in my Italian neck of the woods. People there tend to keep their cars forever, it seems, and the survivors seem to fall into two discrete groups: Old cars that are falling apart, but being kept together by any means possible, using parts and techniques that would shame Cuban mechanics; and old cars that are pristine, beloved, well-attended, lovingly driven, and jealously guarded. Sadly, the 700s, even though I rarely see them, have always been of the former variety. I've don't recall ever seeing a nice one...

Hmmmm. If they were here in that kind of shape I'd think a potential engine swap might be in order. OK, engine, transaxle and possibly torsion bar/pickle fork swap. (The pickle fork and torsions are essentially one piece and hold the engine/trans assembly on a VW) I would say that a bigger air-cooled BMW motorcycle engine would do nicely, too. I doubt it would be a bolt-in, of course and likely the trans couldn't handle it, but if there's a will there's a way!

[scoTT la rock]

Ooohh my new favorite thread.

The ongoing E24 project, the day I got it:



'83 633CSI manual, typical California car - no rust, mechanically sound, but badly faded paint and a lot of cracked and warped interior pieces. It won't be too hard to bring back to life, should be presentable soon (knocks on wood).

my buddy Aaron who helps me with my 76 2002 just got an 83 633csi too as a project. He just repainted it and replaced the speed sensors, and it's almost on the road. stinks like mold inside so a new carpet set is in order, but hes been able to get a lot of parts for it from the same place i get stuff for my 2002. if you need parts try these guys out first- www.bmwofsouthatlanta.com. they have a lot of stuff still available for many vintage BMWs

[Galrot]

[TetsuoShima]

oh..my..god..

[Air and water do mix]

OK, I've never seen this one before. What the hell is that? It looks like a racer built on 700 mechanicals or something.

I suppose if that's the case then it doesn't go fast enough to catch a lot of air under that nose.

Edit: If there were a little more curve to them, I could use those blinkers as a Beetle turn signal with an art deco flavor.

[Galrot]

^^ Yes, it's cut down and stripped version of the 700 called the 700 RS. It only had 70 bhp but then again it only weights 650 kilo too.

[teileguy]

i always liked the dorkiness of these, before they evoled into the swan that is the 3.0 cs.

i have an e24 as well, grey market however. i cant stand those awful US spec bumpers.

[Air and water do mix]

^^ Yes, it's cut down and stripped version of the 700 called the 700 RS. It only had 70 bhp but then again it only weights 650 kilo too.

Thanks!

It's about 1430 lbs for those of us still measuring weight in pounds. I have a converter widget on my computer so it's really easy for me to do that. No, I can't do that in my head.

[Air and water do mix]

*Pic of 2000CS

i always liked the dorkiness of these, before they evoled into the swan that is the 3.0 cs.

i have an e24 as well, grey market however. i cant stand those awful US spec bumpers.

The nose is a little wonky, but overall I find the car quite handsome. It certainly was obviously the forebear of the later coupes, though.

[jagt21VR6]

here is my dads, brother, and my car...
SPECS if anyone cares...
Custom interior featuring; Koenig two-tone seats, 4-point harness, rear seats and all panels to match. New carpet and head liner. Racing suspension; Ireland engineering coil over suspension, 400# springs front, 350# rear, anti sway bar set 22/19 rears adjustable, Wildwood calipers with slotted rotors, 250mm rear brake kit, tii master cylinder, front to back braided stainless steel brake lines, and biased control. Engine built by Korman Autoworks started as stage 2 S-10, upgraded with 304 cam, dual 45 Weber’s, offset cam gear, titanium valve spring retainers, steel alloy connecting rods, triple row radiator, aluminum flywheel, Jacobs electronic ignition, Braided stainless gas lines, rear battery mount, Stahl header, Ansa Exhaust, Aluminum strut bar, short shift kit, HRE Basket weave custom wheels, Yokohama AVS ES 100 155/50R15.



interior shot


engine shot


I know the pics arent the best but you get the idea...

[Air and water do mix]

here is my dads, brother, and my car...
SPECS if anyone cares...

Well, as Luke said to Leia, "I care".

Admit it, you know exactly when he said it.

My '75 was that same color. That's just about all they have in common, though! Mine was fun, but yours is considerably better.