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.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Mike Ura's M1 Featured on Petrolicious!

Congrats to Mike Ura on this Petrolicious video featuring his car!  

Why is it here in Baurspotting, you might ask?  :)



You mean... besides that fact that it is a cool little video on a very cool car.....  right?


Well, as you may already know, Baur had a hand in this M1 project.   Although Lamborghini was initially contracted by BMW to build the car, financial problems forced them into bankruptcy.  The result of that was the M1 became more of a group effort with several manufacturers involved in the process, including Baur.*  

So Baurspotting is proud to promote the role that Baur played in the production of this marvelous car!  
Now, enjoy the video!  ;)

The M1 Is BMW's Solitary Supercar





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdzKJ1DwG20&feature=player_embedded

Congrats, Mike!



*Although the M1 was formally announced soon after (January 1978), Lamborghini’s imminent bankruptcy finally forced BMW to cancel its contract on April 20, 1978. Under a new plan, Marchese would build the car's tube frame, TIR would mold the fiberglass, and then Ital Design would mate the two and install the interior. The cars would then be shipped from Italy to Stuttgart, where Baur, long a builder of BMW production prototypes, would in­stall the BMW hardware. BMW Motor­sports would do the final preparation in Munich—in fact, the car would carry a BMW Motorsports manufacturing plate.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/the-m1-trilogy-the-history-of-the-m1-feature

**1978 - 1981 Final assembly and completion of the BMW M1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karosserie_Baur

***(N.B.: Baur, which was established in 1910, produced, among others, 1682 1600-2 Cabriolets, 200 2002 Cabriolets, 2597 E110 700 Sport Cabriolets and most of the 450 or so M1's for BMW, after Lamborghini could not fulfil its contractual obligations.) 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M1


ADDED BONUS TRACKS:
Video of Mike's M1 on the Dyno!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_bpcCo5EMo

Video of Mike M1, up close and personal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TumVUDSuc3g

M1 Registry Info:

NAME   
MODEL   E26 M1
MODEL CODE   5991
VIN   WBS59910004301313
PRODUCTION DATE   November 1980
COUNTRY OF ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION   Germany
EXTERIOR COLOR (PAINT CODE)   Red
INTERIOR COLOR (UPHOLSTERY CODE)   Black cloth + leather
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT + COMMENTS
100% stock: Purchased from original owner with 14,000 miles.

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=7705

M1 Registry:
E26 M1
R EvansWBS59910004301121United StatesJune, 1980
Frank FaheyWBS59910004301199United StatesJune, 1980
Neal HeffronVIN NOT VISIBLEUnited StatesJune, 1980
Claes von Holten LindholmVIN NOT VISIBLEDenmarkOctober, 1980
Mike UraWBS59910004301313United StatesNovember, 1980
Clark SchaeferWBS59910004301326United StatesNovember, 1980
Carlos de QuesadaWBS59910004301336United StatesDecember, 1980
Gregory BradburyVIN NOT VISIBLEUnited StatesDecember, 1980
Dyke MorrisseyWBS59910004301408United StatesFebruary, 1981
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/models.php?id=19

3 comments:

  1. Great video! it would be interesting to find out more about its history as it as a UK numberplate!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Hilaire, I have added a little more info above on Mike's M1 that I gleaned from the Internet. Will search for more. You can reach Mike in Facebook, btw. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hilaire, I posed your question to Mike in Facebook:
    "Tom: Mike, I have had some inquiries about your M1, as to its history and why it has a UK plate. Do you have the story posted anywhere that could be shared? Thanks, and congrats again!
    Mike: Tom - I don't have the story posted, but its pretty simple. I bought the M1 from the original Dutch owner. He had over 150 cars which he kept in various countries where he had a house. The M1 was in the UK and I retained the original plate. I drive it this way to maintain originality. I do have a TX plate in the trunk:) I bought the car sight un-seen, only photos. Was able to import the M1 under the DOT/EPA 25 year exemption, so its stock. I love driving the car. Have driven Road Atlanta, Road America, Barber and COTA, plus the 2 local DFW area tracks."

    ReplyDelete