1982 BMW 323i Baur

1982 BMW 323i Baur
Memorial Day 2010 First Drive 1982 323i BMW Baur Lapisblau M20 5 speed #4154 of 4595 made. The car was imported to California by Dietel Enterprises. I have since changed the wheels, installed the clear turn signal lenses, and I am in the process of installing a new cabriolet roof. I have to do something about those bumpers, too. :) I love this car! To see one of the reasons why, check my post "Score One For the Good Guys" on 6/26/2011.

Friday, June 8, 2012

BMW 700 Baur in Los Angeles, CA

Now HERE is a RARE Baur!  How many of these are in the US?  Anyone know?  I'd love to learn more if anyone has any nfo.  Email me, or comment here.

I found this today in another bimmerforums section. 
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1760929&highlight=Baur

 It is an important BMW, one credited with saving the company back in the 1950-60's when the company was on the financial brink.  This is the post from the owner, who excerpted it from Wikipedia:

"The BMW 700 was a small rear-engined car produced by BMW in various models from August 1959 to November 1965, and was the first BMW automobile with a monocoque structure. The 700 was a sales success at a time when BMW was close to financial ruin, and was also successful in its class in motorsport, both in its stock form and as the basis of a racing special called the 700RS. The first variant of the 700 to appear after the original coupe and saloon was the 700 Sport in August 1960. Available only as a coupe, the Sport used an updated engine with a pair of Solex carburetors and a 9.0:1 compression ratio bringing its power output to 40 horsepower (30 kW). The Sport also had a rear anti-roll bar and a ribbed oil pan that was used to reduce the oil temperature of the more powerful engine. BMW introduced a 700 Cabriolet shortly after the 700 Sport, featuring the Sport's 40 horsepower engine and a body Karosserie Baur of Stuttgart. More than a total of 188,000 BMW 700s were sold before production ended in November 1965, and only 2,592 were cabriolets. Upon discontinuing the 700, BMW left the economy car market and did not return for many years until 2002, when they began to reproduce the Mini."




"The 700 Cabriolet was introduced shortly after the 700 Sport, and was available only with the Sport's 40 horsepower engine.. The convertible body was made by Karosserie Baur of Stuttgart.[3][10] 2,592 convertibles were built.[3]"   Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_700

Addendum:

In case you are still wondering about the significance of this BMW 700 after reading all of the links above....
the following is what the BMW 700 made possible:

BMW 1800 1964-71

BMW 2002 1968-76
2 door sedan
3 door hatchback

BMW 1500 1962-66

BMW 1600 Sedan 1966-75

BMW 2000 1966-72

BMW 2000 C/CS 1966-75

BMW New Class  1962-75

Production figures

Production Figures
BMW1500
(1962−64)
1600
(1964−66)
1800
(1963−72)
1800 TI/SA
(1964−65)
2000
(1966−72)
2000 C/CS
(1965−69)
02 series
(1966−76)
2002 turbo
(1973−74)
Baur Cabriolet
(1967−75)
23.5549.728146.960200143.46411.720861.9401.6724.210








4 comments:

  1. I own 2 bmw 700 cabriolet, one bmw 700 sport coupe with sport motor and one 700 LS luxus limousine.
    I have finished the restoration of one cabrio, the sport coupe is a replica of the bmw 700 # 38 at the BMW museum , is almost done and the Limo will be finished in the next few weeks.
    My partner and I are fans of these cars, we use to race this back in Argentina where this cars were builded under the name of "deCarlo" under bmw license back in 1959.
    We have build a shop in Miami last year and acquire all this cars to make a nut and bolt restauration.
    it has been a challenge to get new parts, some from Germany, a few from BMW and some engine parts from Argentina.
    People wrongly think that because the car is based on the R69 motorcycle boxer engine, the car have something in common. Actually the motorcycle engine doesnt share anything with the car, it has the same philosophy but the car has a different setup and off course a full 4 synchro Gearbox.
    this cars were a big success in BMW history, people use to wait up to 6 months to get a new one when launched in 1959. it was the first BMW with a monocoque chassis and independent suspension, some achievement back on those years.
    I will be delighted to publish some pictures if I find how to do it.
    Best,
    Alberto Sbarra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alberto: Si Usted vive o ha estado de visita en Argentina, me gustaria intercambiar información respecto al 700. Saludos. Carlos
      decarlo700@yahoo.com.ar

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! Thank you for your comment, that is great information! If you are unable to post a pic here, just email any pics you would like to me and I will be most happy to add them to this post!!
    My email is:
    tom82baur@gmail.com

    Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete