Small Baur World (Again!): 1983 M3 Tribute in Glendale California on Ebay!

UPDATE 3pm June 23, 2018:  thanks to our friend Corey Dalba who sent me the Baur plate pic** for this Baur just as I was posting this! Amazing timing, Corey!  Thank you!  ;)  

Small Baur World again!  Thanks to our friend and fellow Baur owner Jonathan Selig for the heads up on this Baur on ebay from Glendale, California!   Why is it a 'small Baur world"?  Because we have this Baur in our files, spotted at Bimmerfest way back in 2009 and 2011*!

Item specifics

Condition:	Used	Year:	1983
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number):	wbaaa7102D9144589	Mileage:	221,661
Make:	BMW	Exterior Color:	Red
Model:	3-Series	Interior Color:	Black
Trim:	Baur	Transmission:	Manual
Engine:	i6	Vehicle Title:	Clear
Drive Type:	RWD

1983 BMW E30 Baur TC2 with E30 M3 body kit, engine swapped with 325i model BAR legal. Engine is stock with air filter, runs good replaced fuel pressure regular and oil change recently.  Timing belt replaced at 202,000 08/17/16  Suspension is 5 lug from E36 M3 rear is 318ti trailing arms, front brakes are also E36 M3. Has bilstein sport shocks with H&R springs with upgraded sway bars. Wheels are 16 inch style 5.  Body is straight, painted recently not show quality but still needs a good wet-sand to make it really nice. Good daily driver not scared to park or drive without getting a scratch or dent.  Rear window is new, installed black version instead of clear, keeps temps inside down and looks better.  Interior is decent, no tears, dash has 1 crack down the middle. M tech steering wheel and all gauges work as they should.  AC works and blows cold.  All functions of the top work.  Very rear vehicle, they didn't make many Baurs and I'm sure not many look like this one.  *SMALL BAUR WORLD DEPT.:  These are pics that we have had in  our files for some time, dating back to 2009 and 2011, respectively.  The pics were taken at Bimmerfest, which is not far from Glendale.  This is the same car shown in the ebay ad above.  Note the license plate.  ;)  https://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-BMW-3-Series-Baur-/192570454666?hash=item2cd617f28a%3Ag%3Ac-IAAOSwDR1bJUFk&nma=true&si=vTXxw%252BaFEgkgaKoiT%252B6guOb2DUs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 Thank you, Jonathan!   ** Baur plate number from Corey Dalba:  Baur 40259.  We checked, and this Baur is already in the International Baur Registry..... and so we have MORE pics to share!

Ebay Texas:1985 BMW Baur TC2 convertible with S50 M3 engine conversion!

Thanks to our friend and fellow Baur owner Jonathan Selig for the heads up on this ebay auction that is ending very shortly!  

1985 BMW Baur TC2 convertible with S50 M3 engine conversion Current bid: US $4,750.00 Clean Texas Title.  Item specifics Condition: Used Year:  1985 VIN (Vehicle Identification Number):  WBAAK310209557242 Mileage:  165,000 Make:  BMW Transmission:  Manual Model:  3-Series Vehicle Title:  Clear An original European specification 318 convertible built by Baur Coachworks of Stuttgart for BMW in 1985. The car has been professionally converted to a full S50 M3 ( E36 ) drivetrain but mileage is unknown.  The engine and transmission are the M3 S50 and 5 speed ZF. There is also a M3 spec exhaust system fitted.  New items include: -Water pump -Thermostat -Battery -Windshield seal -H&R Springs There is a crack in the dash just above the speedometer and I can send pictures if needed. A/c was not hooked up at the time of the swap and will need to be done. The chin spoiler comes with the car, I had it off and forgot to put it back on until I saw the pictures.  This is a rare vehicle that is almost guaranteed to be the only one at the local coffee and cars meets. It is not a show car but still much nicer than a lot of e30s that I see for sale.  I have a realistic expectation of what this car should sell for.  The only reason for selling is that we have a newborn and I haven't driven it in over a month. I just do not have time or storage for it and need to sell.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-BMW-3-Series/273261965619?hash=item3f9faeb133%3Ag%3Ajt8AAOSw9RdbFrhV&vxp=mtr

Thank you, Jonathan, for the heads up!  

1600 Voll Cabrio For Sale..... And Team Baurspotting Is All Over It! ;)

I love doing this Baurspotting blog, and I have a lot of fun with it.  Today's experience is a perfect case in point! 

I got up this morning and checked my phone around 6:30am.  I saw that I had a notification that Eduardo R Génova had commented on my Baurspotting post with the following:  "I have a 1600-02 Full cabrio currently on sale. https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C990359 ".  

Wow, very cool, and the accompanying photo looked very sharp.  I made a mental note to take a look at the ad after breakfast and prepare a Baurspotting post featuring it.

I then continued my morning routine, getting my breakfast together, etc. A short while later (7:03am, to be exact) I received a message from the ever-vigilant Bob Kauffman in CA:

"Eduardo R. Genova shared a link in BMW 2002.  https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C990359

Ha!  That is the same exact link I received from Eduardo, the seller ---- in the UK---- three hours earlier!  Bob Kauffman doesn't miss a trick, I thought. ;)  And by my calculations, it was about 4:03am in CA where Bob lives! Ever vigilant is right! 
 But it doesn't end there!  At 7:06am I receive yet ANOTHER message.  My friend, John Whetstone of Rhode Island, had tagged me in the BMW 2002 Facebook page...... and guess what post he tagged me on?  Yes, you guessed it:  Eduardo R. Genova's post for his Baur! https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C990359

So that is THREE (3) notifications for Eduardo's beautiful Baur.... which is only hours old!..... and I haven't even finished my breakfast yet!  

Welcome to my Small Baur World!  ;) 
 Thank you to Eduardo R. Genova, Bob Kauffman and John Whetstone:  You guys make my job easy and a joy to do!  You made my day!  This is really too much fun!  Thank you, fellas!   ;)

So here are the pics of the Baur:  

Here is the text of Eduardo's ad: 

£59,500 - Or near offer

Description1 of 1,682 full cabriolet produced of which there are very few left. Fully restored in 2014-2017 with all the invoices and pictures available. The new owner will know exactly what they are buying.This is the ultimate driving machine with the iconic M10 engine under the bonnet. It gives the driver a remarkable performance and an amazing driving experience.The previous owner broke down the 1.6 engine when driving from Germany to the Canary Islands in the year 2002. This resulted in fitting a 2.0 engine which effectively means the car's specification is a 2002 full convertible of which there were only 200 units produced. This 2.0 engine has now been fully re-built in 2017. The previous owner had also installed the squared rear lights that I have now returned to the original rounded ones so that I have changed the rear panel. This is a striking 1970 BMW 1600-02 Baur in Baikal Blue. The Baur cabriolets are more sought after as they were, effectively, hand built with all-independent suspension and front disc brakes. BMW 2002s are fun to drive thanks to the M10 engine, which despite its humble origins would go on to form the basis of a turbo-charged 1,000-horsepower Grand Prix unit and Formula 1 World Championship winner. This neat little 70's drop-top in its bright period colour scheme makes a stylist classic drive. This unit was awarded as “Best In Class” in the international 2016 BMW Car Club GB Festival.Some of the brand new parts are: fuel tank, most of the body panels, crankshaft, pistons, rubber sealing, electrical system, collector, suspensions, tyres, 4x seat belts, exhaust system, chrome mirrors, Nardi wooden steering wheel, dashboard, carpet, front windscreen, some chrome components, heating system and many more. For concourse status the car would need a new soft-top, new chrome components for the dashboard and the renovation of the inner doors upholstery. These three parts are still okay; hence they have been at the bottom of my long list. Otherwise it is truly in mint condition. The vehicle is sold with many accessories including an original towing bar.Selling it because I live in the UK and owning a LHD convertible classic over here is not as fun as enjoying it in the sunny Canary Islands -where I am from and where the car is currently awaiting its new driver. I am looking forward to the next project which will be more suitable for the UK weather and RHD. Price as stated or near offer, only truly interested buyers please. Visitors to inspect the vehicle can benefit from a deluxe apartment accommodation in Tenerife which is free of charge if the inspection of the car results in a purchase. I can help and share the shipping costs with the buyer. I have shipped the car to the Continent in the past hassle free. In 2016 I drove it from Barcelona to London with no issues at all even though the road trip was before rebuilding the engine.
I bought the car in March 2014 in Tenerife from a German gentleman who had owned it -I believe for more than 30 years. The previous owner drove from Germany to Spain in the year 2000 to keep the car in his holiday villa in Tenerife (he normally spends the winter months there). Whilst in mainland Spain the original M10 1.6l engine broke down and he had it replaced it by another M10 but in the 2.0l version that we has precisely taking with him in a towed trailer just in case it broke down (as it finally happened). Once fixed he travelled by ship to Tenerife and registered it there. Of course all the available documents and history of the car will be provided to the new buyer. I can also give you the contact details of the previous owner in case you would like to reach out to him (I am hoping he gives his consent as he is a very nice guy).After buying it I instructed the best restoration workshop in the Canary Islands to carry out a full restoration. The process was undertaken in two stages:Stage 1. January 2015 – May 2016Stripping the whole bodyshell and body panels to remove rust and old paint layers. Unfortuantely the car had lots of hidden defects that I was not aware of when I bought it (even though I undertook a thorough inspection with a specialist car surveyor!).The restoration was a very detailed-high intensity work. Most of the body panels where replaced by brand new panels. Please refer to my blog for a full coverage of the restoration process.Lots of new parts apart from the body panels:• New dashboard• New Windscreen• Mirrors• New Knob• New bumpers• New sealing rubbers• Renovation of all wiring and electrical circuit (I added a secret battery disconnector that effectively works as an inmobiliser). The circuit is also ready to incorporate additional fog lights• New bonnet• New BMW badge• New carpet• New rear-rounded lights• New Exhaust system• Radio and speaker... and many more.
Once completed Stage 1, I got the car delivered to Barcelona by ship and I drove with my wife and with my 6 months’ old baby to London. It was such an adventure bearing in mind that the engine had not been re-built yet. The 10 days’ trip went well without any issues at all - a sign of proper old and reliable engineering! I kept it at my home in London for a few months. Clearly the UK is not the ideal place for a Left Hand Drive classic convertible car. It was very hard to find the occasion to drive it as I depended on having a dry day (very unusual over here!) and a free day to enjoy a nice drive. I took it to the International 50th Anniversary of the BMW 2002 Show organised by the official BMW Club. The car proudly won the “Best in Class” trophy which was a fair recognition after all the time and money spent on the project.I decided to ship it back to the Canaries to undertake Stage 2 of the restoration. Right now –like the previous owner, I drive it during my holiday in Tenerife. I am selling it because I will be buying a non-convertible right hand drive classic more suitable for the UK weather, I have got a deal almost done. Unfortunately for the buyer the price is non-negociable because I know exactly how much I have spent and I keep all the invoices for the new buyer’s tranquillity. The price has been validated by various BMW specialists, including from the BMW Club. I have got the original BMW Certificate showing the authenticity of the car and the exact day the car was produced and delivered to a German car-dealer.
Stage 2. January 2017 – September 2017• Amendment of some minor details of Stage 1 which were not finished at the highest standard• Full Engine rebuild (replacement of crankshaft, pistons and other parts). The outcome has been excellent, no more blue smoke• New exhaust collector• New clutch• New bottom chrome side bars• Fixing the heater• Painting the rear panel and the boot
Items the new buyer needs to bear in mind for the future• Hood/soft top (also still fine but a bit tired, however no wholes or leaks)• Gear box might be the next repair (hopefully after thousands of more kilometres). I am only anticipating it because I have not changed it myself and the car is running perfectly well – perhaps I am being too conscious)• Doors inner upholstery (still fine but might need replacement for concourse category, they are really hard to find)• Interior chrome elements of the dashboard (they are certainly tired but they are really hard to find too).The car is sold with some parts and accessories such as car cover, tow bar (not fitted), anti-theft immobiliser, a couple of books - including parts diagram, some tools, extra speedometer in (miles) and a set of right hand drive front lights.LogisticsThe vehicle is in Tenerife, Canary Islands, which gives the buyer the opportunity of having a nice trip and a great drive around the island and its paradisiac roads. Many car advertisements have been filmed in Tenerife. I will cover half the shipping costs to the buyer’s destination. My restorer has shipped tens of cars before, most of them to Europe. He is trustworthy and he will be certainly very helpful. I also offer free accommodation in one of my apartments in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Subject to the interested person actually buying the car). I can also offer various types of guarantee to ensure the buyer feel as confident about the car as I am. I am being fully transparent and I know very well the condition of the car.

  Check the link here for contact information:
https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C990359

Thanks again to Eduard R. Genova, and good luck with your sale!  And of course Special Thanks to our alert Ba16urspotters:  Bob Kauffman and John Whetstone! you guys rock!  ;)

UPDATE:  Eduardo sent me a link to a blog that has the full story of the restoration with loads of pics of the process!  Check this out!

https://bmw02cabrio.wordpress.com

Baurspotters Alert: Cabrio Targa Spotted in Europe!

UPDATE 3pm June 4, 2018:  "Bart Meyvis It’s a Belgian car that participated last month in “Le Grand Tour” (Kortrijk - Lisbon)." *
 Thank you, Bart! ;)
Also, Mark Anthony Ferreira informs us that the pic was taken in Caldas da Rainha Portugual!  Thanks, Mark!  ;)


BAURSPOTTERS ALERT:  EUROPE! 

Thanks to Mark Anthony Ferreira who shared the link, and Curtis Shifflett, who tagged us in the BMW 2002 Facebook page today with this Cabrio Targa by Baur!  We have no other information on the car.  It was apparently spotted by several people and posted to "Carspotting:  Portugal" Facebook page.   The car was 'in transit". 

Your Mission, should you choose to accept it, is.... to track down this Baur!  ;)  Where is it located now, and can we contact the owner to invite him to join our Baur Community?

It appears that this Baur has been participating in rallies, based on the stickers in the window and on the door.  Any idea what the "Edition 2018" would be related to?  What license plate is that? 

 Although the Facebook page where it appeared is based in Portugal, the transport truck shows a  "@SDGG.BE" decal that indicates it is located in Belgium.  So where is it now?  ;) 

There have been a number of shows and rallies this season in Europe, and it is possible that this Baur was a participant in one or more of them.  Does anyone recognize this car?  

Can we find this Baur?  Stay tuned!  ;)

Thanks to Bart Meyvis: 

Baurspotting Visits British Cars By The Sea 2018

Yesterday, June 3, 2018 was the occasion of the 31st Annual British Cars By The Sea Show at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT.   This is always a great show at a great seaside venue, and this year was no exception.  It was a beautiful, brilliant sunny day, with a steady breeze off of Long Island Sound, and a great turnout of this year's featured Marque:  the Jaguar 120, 140 and 150!  Not to mention a couple of hundred other British cars, motorcycles.... and even a BSA bicycle! 

And YES, although this was an ALL-British event, we even have some Baur content:  my friend, Afonso Conceicao, who owns the only other E21 Baur in Connecticut, joined me at the show.  Years ago, Afonso used to race Mini Coopers at Lime Rock Raceway Park in NW Connecticut ---the original British versions, of course!  During the course of his career at Lime Rock, btw, Afonso had occasion to meet Paul Newman, the actor and race car aficionado! 

The show was also an occasion to take car of a little business:  I have been selling off some BMW parts from my former cars, and I arranged to meet Joffrey Roa at the show to make the exchange!  Joffrey and his wife Valerie drove all the way from New Hampshire to combine business and pleasure:  pick up the BMW part and attend one of the great local car shows at the shore! Nice work! And it was nice to meet you both, Joffrey and Valerie!

Another highlight of the day was lunch at the food trucks, featuring my friend Big Belly Kelly's BBQ!   All around a fun day!  

Here are some examples of the Featured Marque on display:  Jaguar 120, 140 and 150!  I love these cars, although my preference is definitely for the early models:  the 120 and the 140.   What gorgeous cars, and what genius design by Sir William Lyons! 

These were not the only Jaguars on the field, of course.  

Two-tone Mark II! 

Rolls Royce was also represented! 

MG sedan! 

I was a little late getting photos of the Mini section, and several had already left before I could photograph them, including a great little panel delivery model in bright yellow! 

The Daimler Dart, with the Daimler hemi V8 engine!

I love the vintage MGs!

And this was my Favorite of the Day:  1933 MG from New Hampshire, presented by a lovely older couple with whom I was able to chat.  They trailered the car down from New Hampshire, for safety and security reasons, but they drove it here to the venue! What a great original example of a classic automobile!

Check out the throttle control levers, and that tiny gas pedal!

Jensen Interceptor

Marcos.  ???  :)

Triumph 250

Always fun to see these three-wheeled Morgans:  it is registered as a motorcycle by the way!  

A Lotus Europa that moves under its own power!  ;)

Another Lotus Europa that runs and drives!  ;)

TVR.

It is not all automobiles at this show:  the owner of this trike drew a lot of attention when he drove it around the show field! 

Yes, that is a BSA bicycle! All British 'vehicles' are welcome!  ;)

Unfortunately, there was no 1952 Vincent Black Lightning this year, but some nice examples of British motorcycles nonetheless!

And we finally get to a little Baur content, folks!  ;)

The show sponsors set a aside a little parking area reserved for non-British Specialty Vehicles every year.  My Baur was the only vehicle parked there for most of the morning, but then I was joined by two examples of American Iron from the 1950s:  a black Cadillac and the two-tone blue Buick.  That is Afonso in the red hat next to my Baur! 

The Caddy is for sale! 

Afonso and the Baurspotting Baur!  ;)  It was great to see you, Afonso!  Thanks for making the trip down!  See you again soon! 

N.B.  The photos above are just a small sampling of the vehicles that appeared at the show.  There were tons more than I can show here, including MGs and Triumphs of all varieties, Austin-Healeys,  Land Rovers, Range Rovers and even a Rover;  the new Mini Coopers, more Lotuses, etc.  I have included my personal favorites, for the most part.  :)