1973 BMW E3 2500

This incredibly rare BMW E3 2500 Manual has been in one family ownership from new until 2014. and has covered just 53K miles.
By the mid 60s. following on from the success of the Neue Klasse. BMW set about developing a larger six-cylinder sports saloon. The result was the E3. launched in 1968 and badged simply as 2500 or 2800. It's the car that paved the way for the Five-Series and introduced the shark-nosed. quad-headlamp nose that became so instantly recognisable as a BMW. Combined with a low waistline. slim-pillared airy glasshouse and simple. uncluttered. elegant detailing. the E3 looked modern. sophisticated and sporting. Today. it's an undeniably elegant. handsome machine.
These were very expensive cars in the UK so never very common. Combined with their propensity to corrosion after a few years makes them extremely rare. particularly in more desirable manual gearbox form.
The history of this Chamonix White example is quite remarkable. It was purchased new from BMW dealers. Cotswold Service Station. London Road. Gloucester by Dr George A R Brown of Kirkcaldy. Dr Brown used the BMW as his treasured weekend car. for high days and holidays until his death in 1980. It then passed to his equally enthusiastic son. Dr Charles Brown. who continued to use the BMW solely for special family occasions and weekends in the summer until his death a couple of years ago. In total. this BMW spent 41 years with the Brown family.
As you might expect. the paperwork with the car is extensive. All the original manuals come with the car in the original folder along with the original dealer key fob. There is a full service history from the PDI to date comprising of the fully stamped service book and a substantial folder of every single bill. predominantly from the local BMW main dealer. Menzies of Stirling. In recent years records show that the car had new brake calipers. new springs and Bilstein dampers. new clutch. flywheel and starter motor. and a head gasket (with head skim). The Browns were extremely enthusiastic about this BMW and it shows in their approach to looking after it.
We have the majority of all the old MoTs and a breakdown of the car's mileage indicating that it usually covered between 300 and 800 miles per year.
When new. the Browns wisely decided to thoroughly rustproof the BMW. There is still rustproofing wax oozing out of most seams and the result is a car that has never needed any underbody welding. nor does it require any. The exterior has been repainted just once 15 years ago and remains lovely. The brightwork is also superb. It wears refurbished E9 alloy wheels and the tyres have plenty of tread.
The interior is quite spectacular. It has to be said that the interior is in timewarp condition. Commensurate with the mileage and careful use. the blue velour shows no wear at all. The dashboard. door cards and carpets are all original and unmarked. Even the boot carpet is perfect. all the tools are present and the spare wheel is unused. It really is a lovely place to be.
As you'd expect with such a well-maintained car. it drives beautifully. The twin carb straight six is quiet. silky smooth and potent. The four-speed gearbox is perfect with none of the gear lever slop evident in many old BMWs. The suspension and brakes are just as they should be and the result is a car that drives like it's one year old rather than 41 years old.
Classic BMWs have become very collectable in recent years. and such an original. unrestored E3 in this sort of condition is definitely one to add to your collection.

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