AshleyN
Member
Hi Fellow Fanatics
Below find a write up on the restoration of my E21 323i Baur.
Just to give you some background on the car, there were only 4595 units produced worldwide. Each one is stamped with a number from 1 to 4595. Mine is no 3429 of 4595.
These cars were produced in both 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder variations like all other models of 3 series with the flagship model being the 323i straight 6 cylinder. Fuelled by a k-jetronic fuel management system.
http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=144
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 323i. Car was spec’d with black recaro seats from the factory and came with an automatic gearbox (Not a fan of auto but makes for effortless Sunday cruises). I must be honest; I wasn’t typically looking for one of these. In fact, when I came across it on the internet for sale, it was the first time I saw the Baur version of the E21 3 series. Due it’s rarity I couldn’t let the opportunity of owning one of these pass me by.
After a few google searches and talks with other BMW fanatics I know of 4 other E21 Baur’s in SA. If there are more than 10 of these in the country I will be surprised
After arranging for the car to be viewed by a very helpful uncle of mine and getting the “A” ok that the car was rust free and in fair running condition I made the purchase.
The car was smoking slightly and using a bit of oil as indicated by him so I decided to send the car in for an engine overhaul
The engine overhaul then started. The head was removed and treated to new valves, guides, valve stem seals the works. Blocked was in good nik, did a light honing and new rings and bearings.
The car was still running the primitive kjet fueling system and drove very rough. Replaced a few of the vacuum pipes but still had hard starts, frequent spluttering and poor fuel consumption and power. While I planned to keep the car as original as possible I couldn’t find someone who could sort the kjet out for me so as a last option opted for dicktator. Had it fitted and mapped by KAR performance. That solved all my fueling issues
So with the car now running well from a mechanical point of view, I decided to treat it to a blow over. I am all for originality and decided to stick with the BMW henna red. The doors, boot lid and bonnet were stripped off the car to allow for better preparation. There were some fine dents here and there that needed to the straightened out. I was also very nervous of the original beadings getting damaged with stripping the car for the respray. But I must say the guys did a great job and took the utmost car in stripping the car.
Some process pics of the car ungoing body prep for the respray
The roof is in fair condition but I will probably have it redone some time.
Now to decide on a wheel to finish the car off. I came across a set of BMW style 42 wheels. I always liked this wheel and wanted to give the Baur an original BMW look. Had some adapters made and fitted them on. The front has quite a bit of wheel poke. These will do for now till I can get my hands on a nice set of 16 inch Mahle or 16 inch Alpina. This is the end product
Below find a write up on the restoration of my E21 323i Baur.
Just to give you some background on the car, there were only 4595 units produced worldwide. Each one is stamped with a number from 1 to 4595. Mine is no 3429 of 4595.
These cars were produced in both 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder variations like all other models of 3 series with the flagship model being the 323i straight 6 cylinder. Fuelled by a k-jetronic fuel management system.
http://www.bmwe21.net/?page_id=144
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 323i. Car was spec’d with black recaro seats from the factory and came with an automatic gearbox (Not a fan of auto but makes for effortless Sunday cruises). I must be honest; I wasn’t typically looking for one of these. In fact, when I came across it on the internet for sale, it was the first time I saw the Baur version of the E21 3 series. Due it’s rarity I couldn’t let the opportunity of owning one of these pass me by.
After a few google searches and talks with other BMW fanatics I know of 4 other E21 Baur’s in SA. If there are more than 10 of these in the country I will be surprised
After arranging for the car to be viewed by a very helpful uncle of mine and getting the “A” ok that the car was rust free and in fair running condition I made the purchase.
The car was smoking slightly and using a bit of oil as indicated by him so I decided to send the car in for an engine overhaul
The engine overhaul then started. The head was removed and treated to new valves, guides, valve stem seals the works. Blocked was in good nik, did a light honing and new rings and bearings.
The car was still running the primitive kjet fueling system and drove very rough. Replaced a few of the vacuum pipes but still had hard starts, frequent spluttering and poor fuel consumption and power. While I planned to keep the car as original as possible I couldn’t find someone who could sort the kjet out for me so as a last option opted for dicktator. Had it fitted and mapped by KAR performance. That solved all my fueling issues
So with the car now running well from a mechanical point of view, I decided to treat it to a blow over. I am all for originality and decided to stick with the BMW henna red. The doors, boot lid and bonnet were stripped off the car to allow for better preparation. There were some fine dents here and there that needed to the straightened out. I was also very nervous of the original beadings getting damaged with stripping the car for the respray. But I must say the guys did a great job and took the utmost car in stripping the car.
Some process pics of the car ungoing body prep for the respray
The roof is in fair condition but I will probably have it redone some time.
Now to decide on a wheel to finish the car off. I came across a set of BMW style 42 wheels. I always liked this wheel and wanted to give the Baur an original BMW look. Had some adapters made and fitted them on. The front has quite a bit of wheel poke. These will do for now till I can get my hands on a nice set of 16 inch Mahle or 16 inch Alpina. This is the end product
raise:
