1979 BMW 320i https://shiftgate.com/auction/1979-bmw-320i/ Auction ends Wednesday, April 6 at 2:45pm Eastern History Paul Bracq served as the director of design for BMW between 1970 and 1974 and has long been credited with the styling of the new 3-Series. Taking many hallmarks from prior smaller BMWs, the new 3-Series would be longer and wider with a more relaxed windshield rake and yet a taller overall profile would allow for easier ingress-egress. With the aim of being efficient, the new 3-Series was often criticized for being a little slow, but what critics normally failed to mention was the higher degree of creature comforts the new car offered while remembering the rough-n-ready sporty nature of the popular 2002. It’s hard to replace a superstar – but the new E21 was a superstar in its own right, just on a much quieter scale. Not everyone wants to drive a racecar to work. The cabin was considerably quieter, the seats were more supportive, the chassis was more supple and refined and yet lacked little by way of driving dynamics. But it was a bit heavier than the outgoing 2002-style cars, and with a modern engine sapped by emissions control units, it was not as peppy as previous models. But it was an exceptional driving machine, it was enjoyable to drive and easy to maneuver, it handled more predictably than previous BMWs and turned normal mortals into enthusiasts, just like BMWs before it. Interestingly, the Design Museum London proclaimed the E21 as one of “Fifty Cars that Changed the World” in its book of the same title. Exterior The BMW E21 3-Series, along with the E12 5-Series, largely standardized a lot of what BMWs would begin looking like in the years to come. They would also evolve into two of the most iconic BMWs ever built. The E21 aimed to appeal to a broader market, offering a slightly larger, more conservatively styled body, a larger interior and trunk, and a more compliantly sprung suspension among other traits. While many bemoaned the new 3-Series in favor of the racier 2002, the E21 did a great job inviting new buyers to the showroom, people who were looking for something well built, efficient, comfortable, and maybe a little athletic. This 1979 E21 320i has been with the seller for 6 years and has just 98,750 miles on the odometer, which is said to be correct. During their ownership, they have put just 2,000 miles on it. Said to be 100% original, except for the Alpine stereo system and the new 15” alloy wheels with new Continental Contact Touring tires, the seller bought the car from its’ original home of San Francisco, California and drove it home to Florida, where it currently resides. Finished in the popular German hue of what amounts to a slightly cheerier version of Beige, the seller says that only a tiny speck of cosmetic rust is on the rear driver corner, and that there are a number of small touchup spots on the hood and other, but that primer and paint were applied to protect against rust. By and by, the finish looks fabulous, the bright and black trim all appear to be in fine condition, the glass, and lenses likewise. Interior BMW did not actively promote they were leaping into the 1980s with the new E21 3-Series, but they certainly did. With a dashboard styled more to accommodate the driver and a battery of safer surfaces throughout, the new E21 set the bar without saying a thing about what it was doing. It was as subtle as could be. Those who drove it were normally impressed, the supportive bucket seats helping them maintain a good position to thwart fatigue, the expansive glass area allowing exceptional visibility, and everything seemed to be within reach. Interestingly, the use of modern plastic interior surfaces went barely noticed by the press and public because the materials were of such high quality compared to so many others. Carpeted throughout and fitted with a nice amount of sound-deadening material, the new E21 sought to impress a wider market of not only driving enthusiasts, but also people looking for something well made, comfortable, efficient, reliable, and maybe a bit off the beaten path. This 320i shows very well inside, the Tan interior still shows remarkably well, only a couple of minor imperfections detracting from an overall stellar presentation. The upholstery stitching looks to be fine; the plastic surfaces appear to be unwarped, unfaded, and in great overall shape. Even the package tray looks to be remarkable. On top of that, everything is said to work, except for the air conditioning. Engine The E21 BMW was a world export car, and the vast majority of those E21s sent to North America used either the 1.8L or 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine. And while they were not as lively or sprightly as they could have been, thanks largely to new emissions and efficiency requirements set by the government, they proved to be solid, robust, and dependable. They also quietly ushered in new engineering techniques and technology creating a nicely advanced machine that would show things to come. This 320i is powered by the original 2.0L engine and a manual transmission. The seller states there is nothing currently wrong with the car, except that the air conditioning does not work. They have records dating back over 10 years, all the way back to BMW San Francisco, which should serve to demonstrate a high level of care and maintenance. Details The E21 3-Series BMW did a lot to usher the company into the modern era, helping BMW to become a defining automobile of ’80s yuppiedom. While it is humble in its own right, it has little reason to be – many of the styling cues seen on the new 3-series were used only on the E21, while many others spanned through the 1990s. Materials usage, placement of items like stereos, gauges, switches, and more were established by the E21. For all intents and purposes, the new 3-Series was a hero. This 1979 320i seems to be in spectacular condition and appears to have been long well cared for. The fact that they took the time to cover up paint chips and knicks with primer and paint to prevent any rust is testament to their conscientiousness in ownership. Couple that with their service records dating back a decade and this may well be one of the nicest examples on the market. While it is all stock except for the stereo system and wheels, it appears the mods were tastefully chosen and installed. The factory paint still gleams and reflects beautifully, the trim appears magnificent, and, again, all things considered, it might be hard to beat this first of the 3-Series. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
