Two E21 Baurs at Connecticut Valley Chapter Show and Shine July 10, 2011

See also:  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6545219794402951275#editor/target=post;postID=6348012823426068450


Wickham Park, Manchester, CT July 10, 2011   BMW CCA Connecticut Valley Chapter Bring More Wax (BMW) Show and Shine Event.  It is worth noting that having two E21 Baurs together at an event is relatively rare occurrence here in the US. Current estimates indicate that there are possibly a total of 50-100 E21 Baurs in the entire US. The two Baurs shown in the pics below are, at this writing, the ONLY two known E21 Baurs in the New England region, an area comprising 6 different states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont)..... and millions of people!

To put this in some perspective, the recent Bimmerfest held in Pasadena CA, drew upwards of 1,000 BMWs. There were a total of 2 E21 Baurs present at that show. The Vintage BMW show in North Carolina at the end of May drew about 300 or so BMws. I dont have the exact figures. There were NO (zero, zip, nada) E21baurs present whatsoever. Bimmerfest East is scheduled for August 6, 2011 in Aberdeen, MD. At this writing there are a total of 1207 BMWs registered, but only one known E21 Baur. (Your humble correspondent, btw)
The Show and Shine in Manchester CT last Sunday had about 30 cars present, more or less. Two of those cars were E21 Baurs! So this tiny event in CT is tied with the mighty Bimmerfest of Pasadena for hosting the largest convocation of E21 Baurs this year!

Kudos to the Connecticut Valley Chapter for making this possible!

Afonso is on the left with his silver 1978 320/6;  Tom (yours truly)  is on the right, with his 1982 Lapisblau 323i Baur; the photo was taken by Adrian, another BMW enthusiast, who can be seen in photos 3 and 4 (tall gentleman in the light shirt)--- thank you Adrian!

In the pic above, you can see Afonso's Baur plate:  #48!!!  This is one of the earliest E21 Baurs.  According to Afonso, it was originally imported into Canada,and was brought into the US by a previous owner.  Afonso bought it at an estate sale about 7 years ago---- let's just say it was a STEAL!!! He has replaced the original Solex carburetor with a Weber 4 barrel;  he has repainted it himself--- very nice job---- and he is currently looking to restore the black cloth interior, which is showing some signs of wear.  Overall, it is a beautiful car and..... it only has a little over 100kms on the odometer!  I think it was 104 kms.... which is about 64,000 miles, more or less!

The Baur badge you see above is a badge he removed from the car when he repainted it.  I have never seen one of those, and if you look carefully, it was so shiny and reflective that my fingers (on my iPhone camera) show in the pic.  His dash is German, and he has the original stamped service records from day of sale.  He also has the original handbooks, including one for the Baur top, in the original black case.  Afonso also has the original clip/snap-on cover for the rear window!!  This is an extraordinarily original Baur!   Afonso also told me, btw, that he bought it because he likes unusual cars, and until about two years ago, he had no idea how rare this Baur really was! 

Wow, and congratulations to Afonso!  I had a great time meeting you today Afonso and spending the afternoon.  I look forward to doing it again one of these days at another show.  BTW, Afonso also owns a rare 535is which he will be bringing to the upcoming Vintage Show in Saratoga, NY.  Look for him there!
 The Patroon Chapter President (host of the Saratoga Vintage show) and his wife attended the show today---earning the prize for most miles traveled, btw.