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.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Baur #3876 for Sale in CA

Thanks to  Sergio Yassiell Sandoval, in Facebook for more pics of a  Baur #3876 in Los Alamitos, CA!  Sergio informs us that this Baur, a project as you can see, is now for sale!  

These are his comments in the post:
"Here are the pics of the Baur.. Trying to sell this car ASAP, if anyone has any questions let me know. Car does not have an exhaust system and it wasn't allowed to be registered here in California. This is a project car, car needs work. Thanks.

 Might part out soon if no one is interested. Rear trailing arms, powered rack n pinion, euro bumpers.."

Here are the pics posted by Sergio today:
































Here is the original post on Baur #3876 from October 30, 2013:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-e21-baur-spotted-in-california.html

Sergio's pic link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/107793405@N04/sets/72157637354710464/

A BMW 9 Series GT Concept For CARS 3?

If Disney Pixar is thinking of making another sequel to CARS and CARS2, it appears BMW may be ready to join in the on-screen fun!

BMW Blog has just released some pics of a new 9 Series GT Concept Car, that looks perfectly suited to appear in a cartoon about cars!

Yeah,that's right.  A 9 Series!  When will it end????

Anyway without further ado...... here is the 9 Series GT Concept Car:  a Gran Turismo Coupe!
OK, it is a concept car, and it is a drawing.   But..... is it just me, or does that look like a caricature of a BMW?  Call me old-fashioned.  

;)


BMW Concept 9 Series GT

Rendering artist Marius Bucan-Nicola creates the BMW 9 Series GT, a modern interpretation of a Gran Turismo.

The BMW 9 Series GT is a concept meant to illustrate what a top BMW “Gran Turismo” might look like, a true competitor in the category of exclusive, two-seat coupes dominated by the Mercedes SLS, Aston Martin ONE77, as well as the Ferrari F12Berlinetta. This epitomizes an exclusive niche, in which consistency and prevalence are given by the prestige and performances intrinsically linked to the uniqueness and character brought by the “DNA” of the brand, in which experiments lacking sustainability do not fit.
Ideally sportiness should not exclude elegance as well as design styling should not filter elements of innovation. But rather a subtle way can create a vision in the brand’s design. Using these premises, the first sketches I created are not typical to a car designer in the sense that from the very beginning I preferred a realistic approach to design. In the early creative stages, this approach can be itself a serious barrier to free imagination but the architectural formation was decisive to define the way of styling expression. Paying attention to proportions I tried to give personality to the concept with a dynamic sense discreetly accompanied by an exclusive touch.
The car’s silhouette is dominated by an elongated bonnet, which closes up a powerful 6 litersV12 engine, situated in the back of the front axle, connected to a gearbox in front of the back axle. The generous wheelbase, the short overhangs and the low driving position, provide the ideal mass distribution which favors excellent dynamic performances. From the profile, the impression of power is accentuated by the wheels with impressive 21″ wheels. The prominent passage line of the wheel arches wings are aerodynamically inspired by the details of the coupes from GT races.
The tense curves of the “bone line” give the car a subtle yet dynamics and forceful line. The sportiness and agility are also emphasized by the base of the side sills, downwardly splayed from back to front. Besides the functional aerodynamics role, the double-blade side expansion slots do bring a certain dramatic effect. That, together with the outline of the lateral windows frame, including the BMW “hofmeister knick” trademark, determine finally the character of this coupe.

The front-end develops around the unmistakable BMW kidney grille, slightly tilted upfront in a shark style traditional to the brand. The bold look is completed by the well-known headlights with sharp edged details and opening slots which make one think of procrastinated aggression. In the same manner, the lower area has the central grid surrounded by daytime running lights, combined with the air intakes for brakes cooling. The design of the bonnet relies on the language applied by BMW to most of their latest models. The lines running from the front wheel wings to the engine continue with down the front A-pillars. Together with roof line and the C-pillars at the rear, they form a unitary design, becoming one with the car allure. The relative narrow rear windscreen, the see-through spherical roof and the very tilted front windscreen form a homogeneous, stained glass- like surface which once again accentuates the aerodynamic profile of the coupe.
The width of the rear are emphasized by the horizontal line of the narrow back lights, bearing the trademark L- shape design, integrated as LED bulbs which, while driving, give the impression of incandescent metal. The short trunk, aerodynamically designed closes up the volume of this concept in a sporty style.
All throughout the creation and design stages I have sought to produce strong features, without unnecessary exaggerations. Although the design can described as sensual, the overall package is inspired by BMW and German engineering. Think about the timeless look of the 60s coupes (Ferrari Daytona or the original Maserati Ghibli), whose appeal will always fascinate everyone. I’m searching to achieve a perfect balance between innovation and styling with not just a sportiness approach but also an elegant driving presence. It’s about the passion combined with classical BMW proportions in a postmodernist shape.

The design is mainly about energy and in this case the sensation given by a summer stormy rain which served also as an inspiration for those sketches. I uploaded an inspirational slideshow with a superb soundtrack single “Rain” by MARA from “In Love with Love” album (available atwww.kultstudio.ro) whom I want to thank in this way again for her kindness to accompany the concept with her wonderful voice.





More pics and video:
http://www.bmwblog.com/2013/11/02/bmw-concept-9-series-gt/

Monday, November 4, 2013

Build Your own Baur II: TC2 Baur Frame Still For Sale In NC


Would you like to make your own Baur?  This could be your chance!  This is the frame cut from a TC2 Baur that was a rust bucket, plus some other parts: $350!  the rest of the car was junked, apparently.

Personally I would love to see someone convert a 325ix into a Baur.  BMW only built about 115 of those 325ix Baurs, and our friend Jeroen J in The Netherlands has two of them!  There are NONE in the US!  We have discussed this in Baurspotting before.  See link below*.

Posted in Facebook about an hour ago by Brandon Chase Barbor:
"I have this top saved from rusted trashed car, has all trim, badges and the baur # plate, $350 for it all. I want it out of my yard. It is in king nc"

http://s64.photobucket.com/user/biker50610/slideshow/baur

This stuff has been for sale for a while.

TC2 Baur:  B42792.

You can contact Brandon at:  best biker50610@aol.com 



















WTF Dept: Flying Car!

Thanks to my wife Cathy for this link!  I have always wanted one of these, haven't you?  

;)



A Flying Car!



Never get stuck in a traffic jam again! Flying car switches between land and sky - and can reach a top speed of 124mph

  • The AeroMobil 2.5 has a maximum speed of 99mph when driven as a car but in airplane mode can soar through the skies at 124mph
  • The hybrid vehicle is the brainchild of designers Stefan Klein and Jurak Vaculik based in Bratislava, in the Slovak Republic
  • The vehicle can be driven on normal roads and fit into a standard parking space when its wings are tucked in, according to the designers
| 
An incredible flying car has been developed to let drivers skip traffic jams and take to the skies.
The vehicle can be driven on normal roads as well as being flown as a two-seater airplane, as it is able take off and land at any airport, 'opening the door to real door-to-door travel,' according to a Slovakian company.
Named the AeroMobil 2.5, the hybrid invention was unveiled at AeroTech, an airshow exhibition held in Montreal.



VIDEO here!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2487058/Flying-car-AeroMobil-2-5-speed-124mph.html


4 Baurs at Munich Evolution: A Serendipitous Find!

Here is one of those coincidental stories that I love.  A random post in Facebook on a completely unrelated car topic.... leads to the serendipitous discovery of some new Baurs!

It reminds me of the old adage that 'the harder you work, the luckier you get!"


It all started when I posted this in Facebook:
The beautiful custom trunk tool kit in the 200tii owned by John Jones.  It is made of rosewood.  I thought it was pretty neat so I posted it in Facebook.  I added the link to Jones' page of pics on his car.  While doing so, I came across this pic:
Ok, so far so good.  Nice little 2002tii in a shop undergoing restoration.  Loads of other pics on the page, btw. 

But wait.  What is that white car in the background?   I'll be darned!  That is a 2002 Cabrio Targa by Baur! Whoa!  We didn't see THAT one coming!  

There's more!   See the red car at the right of the pic?  That is ANOTHER Baur!  An M1!  These pics are from The Werk Shop in Libertyville, IL, btw.   We have featured them here in Baurspotting before for two 2002 Cabrio Targas that they did a couple of years ago.  
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/09/1972-2002-targa-restoration.html
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2012/09/another-1972-2002-targa-restoration-by.html

We have also spotted some M1s in their parking lot:
http://baurspotting.blogspot.com/2013/08/m1-coffee-klatch-at-werk-shop.html

So they are well known to us.

But, but but..... it doesn't end there, folks!  Paul S. chimed into the Facebook conversation with a comment about the fact that he sees 3 M1s whenever he visits his friend's shop!  Whoa!

3 M1s!!

You know there is no way that Baurspotting can let THAT comment pass without trying to find out more info!  :)  Curious minds want to know!  

Paul posted a link to some pics of the cars, and although the shop doesn't usually post pics of clients' cars, these were taken at a show they did for the local BMW club.  The shop is Munich Evolution in Seattle, WA.   This is their stated policy on their website:   "Many of the cars in our collection will not be shown on the website due to our particular client base."  We post these with Paul's OK, since the cars were made available for this event by Munich Evolution.  

Three M1s can be seen in these photos.









And this Z1 by Baur.




So.... the moral of the story is..... a random post of a cool tool kit leads to the discovery of a trail of new Baurs!   you can't make this stuff up!  

Baurspotting will 'keep on keepin' on'---- you never know what you will uncover!  

Stay tuned!

Congrats to Munich Evolution, looks like a great shop!  And thanks to Paul S. for passing along the pics to us!


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Can We Identify This Baur?




Can we identify that white 2002 Targa Cabrio by Baur in the background?   We believe this  pic was taken at The Werk Shop in Libertyville, IL.  

I found this pic in a pictorial about John Jones' 2002tii that is being restored by The Werk Shop.  Just a totally lucky coincidence that I should spot this Baur in the background!

This is where I found it while I was actually looking at John's beautiful tool kit!


Let's go get it, Baurspotters!! 

Now THIS Is What You Call a Large Tool Kit!

Stumbled across this in Facebook today.  Custom made rosewood large tool kit.  The way The Large Tool Kit Gods intended it, no doubt.














Nice, huh?  :)



https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151841288227670.1073741827.721857669&type=1&l=ef1fa95e0e

But in the course of looking at this tool kit..... looky what I found!!


The blue car in the foreground is the car with the beautiful rosewood tool kit.   But..... you can clearly see that there is a 2002 Cabrio Targa by Baur in the background of this pic!  

Whoa!  We didn't see THIS coming!  Can we identify this Baur?  Baurspotting is ON THE CASE!

Stay tuned!