1972 BMW 3.0 CS. Brilliant car and spares stored 20 plus years.

1972 BMW 3-Series Description

Back Story: Beautiful 1972 European spec 3.0 CS sunroof coupe. Imported from Belgium in 1984. Purchased from our friend Benny Massy, Belgian race car driver. This was his wife’s car from new. Brought to US under the grey market import laws, now extinct. This allowed keeping the original European bumpers, lights, etc. We used the car in shows, it was displayed at the National BMW tech convention, and for vintage racing. Never street driven in the US, never titled here, still has the BE plate. All import papers go with the car. When SCCA changed safety rules to require a roll cage for our class, we opted not to alter the perfect interior and retired it from vintage racing. At this point our plan was to install AC and put the car together as a Sunday driver. But...... life changes. Shortly into this process enters the purchase of a neglected historic mansion and our first medical mission trip. These two events changed the course of our lives forever. We put dryer sheets and mothballs seen in some of the photos in the car, covered it up, and put it away in the carriage house for completion, “someday”. Well, “someday” has now turned into nearly three decades, and our lives have gone in a different direction with different priorities. Time for this old friend to go to a new home.
Body: From 10 feet, this car is killer. From 12 inches, it needs some cosmetic refresh. Does not need a total repaint. It was bumped in the nose in a parking garage when a month old. The passenger side junction of fender and front nose panel has paint cracking. Escaping a thunderstorm at a show, we closed the boot on a too tall toolbox and cracked the paint. It has none of the usual rust trouble spots on these cars- strut towers, fender seams, floors, spare tire well, wheel arches are all solid. This is an important point given the hysterical admonition by a German mechanic: “ Da CS, da Bavaria, unt da early SL, dose SOB’s vill rust sittink ina dry garash.” The car may have other work we are not aware of, but overall it’s nice and solid. All exterior chrome and trim is excellent, nothing missing, no dings, no mismatched bits. All glass perfect. Sunroof and wind deflector work fine. Original wheels and hubcaps outstanding with epoxy gold finish and polished accents. Included are two extra original wheels, our set of wide BBS style racing wheels, and an extra set of hubcaps in the original wrapping. Try to find those today !
Interior: Stunning condition. Absolutely unmarked- no scratches, rips, tears, or sun damage. Wood is excellent, no wear or cracks. Headliner needs a good cleaning. Speakers in the back have only a small wire hole in the package tray. All the impossible to find seat and interior trim is excellent. Lower console is disassembled from 4 speed and AC work. All the parts are boxed up. Power windows all worked when put away, cranky now from disuse. With regard to AC- this has made leaps forward since we put this car away. At this point, I would get a Vintage Air street rod system rather than hassle the original BMW set up. $900 will result in a much better system that can be hidden in the original interior.
Engine: Originally the car was automatic transmission. We changed the original engine and transmission to a strong runner and 4 speed. We tried to run the engine regularly while in storage, but being away for extended periods just did not permit. The engine in the car is stuck. Nothing is broken in that engine, and to avoid that, we have not done any heroics to try to free it. We have put the old tractor guys trick of a liberall amount of ATF and PB blaster in the cylinders. The original engine turns by hand, 100% complete, and is mounted on aroller skid with transmission.
Spares: Included in this sale is the extra original engine and transmission. In addition, are boxes of rare spare parts, many still in the original wrapping. Spare set of BBS wheels included, extra original wheels, chrome trim, grille, AC parts, chrome hood hinges air filter assembly, lights, struts, etc, etc, too much to itemize.
Transporting the car: It will go on a standard 8 x 16 open trailer, or in a 8.5 x 20 enclosed. We have a crane here to load the extra engine. All other spares are boxed. Also consider hiring Passport or Horseless Carriage. We have used both, no problems.
We are simply seeking a good home for this old friend. Since our entire family is now involved with us in medical missions, we do not foresee any of us having time to devote to this car in the future. Our last big historic restoration here is the carriage house, the CS has to be out of harms way before that can begin. Having said that, understand we do not need to sell this car, and are not going to give it away. After nearly three decades in storage, it is being sold as it sits, we can not possibly know every item that may need attention. We will have buyer sign a release as to those two points. Bid with common sense, these cars are fast vanishing into closed collections. A parts car recently sold for 12K, a very rusty example with bad interior for 14K. Reasonably good CS is 25 to 40, superior examples are 50 to out the roof.
FAQS:1. Trades? No thanks, other than Mercedes/ Audi/ Porsche diesel SUV.2. How much will it cost to get the car in shape? Moderate time and expense will get it functional. For perfection, you can spend whatever your spouse will allow.3. Will you sell extra engine and/or parts? Car and everything we have goes as a package.4. Can you recommend a good transporter? Yes.5. Can you keep the car until I make transport arrangements? Yes, for 30 days.6. Can I return the car if my guy in Miami finds a problem? Sorry, no, read above regarding release.7. Can I view the car in person? Yes.8. Can you assist in loading the car and spares? Yes.9. Will you answer silly questions? No.10. Are you interested in hearing that my Uncle/ neighbor/ friend had a CS & I have always wanted one? Sounds fascinating, but no.

On Apr-08-19 at 12:14:24 PDT, seller added the following information:

IMPORTANT ADDENDUM: Thank you to everyone for your interest. Since we listed the car Saturday, we have found the box containing the original automatic shifter and accompanying console pieces is missing. Nothing malicious is suspected. The CS has been stored here throughout the 20 year restoration of our National Historic Register property. Over those years, we have had dozens of workers take countless truck and van loads of construction materials in and out of the carriage house/shop where the car was kept. Our fear is that the missing box of parts may have been mistakenly loaded up with boxes of construction materials. Horrifying thought, but since we were not present during some periods of the restoration, it is possible. Until an inch by inch search is completed of the carriage house and other garages, we are going to remove the car from sale and relist later when this is sorted out. Again, thank you all for your interest and bids.
This listing will be removed at 10pm CDT, 4/8/2019