What happens when you find another car you don’t need?

[A12pilot]

…I think we all know the answer to that!

I stumbled across this 1971 2800CS just about thirty-five minutes North of me. A doc bought it new in 1971 and drove it for years before giving it to his daughter to drive to college. Then it was parked in 1987 and it “ran great when parked”. Still has the 1986 TX tags on it! Untouched, all original, including the original “ran great” motor which somehow doesn’t run now. This is the 6th to the last 2800CSA delivered to the US which is neat in it’s own way. It’s Baikal Blue, tan leather interior, and factory options are PS, PB, AC, PW, Rear Defroster. Nothing cut up, all numbers are there, factory markings still all over too! These things were built with rust-out as a standard feature. While Mopars rusted coming down the line, these were designed with rust already on the blue prints.

Designer: “Aufmerksamkeit, Klaus! Vat do you vant by ze viper motor?”
Engineer: “Ja, rust hole, and make it schmall vitch vill make ze hole in der fler, Danke.”
Designer: “Zer Gut. Danke mein Herr.”

But amazingly with this thing being parked inside for all but ten years, the common areas that rust out on these things is rock solid. Glass, stainless, rockers, strut towers, etc, are all in great shape. So what’s one do when one finds this? Simple. Buy it since another project is sorely warranted and there’s simply too much wasted time in the day not to have another car to work on and thread to start. Am I right? I’m right, right? I knew yous guys would see it my way!

Much like the 507, this has Charley written all over it!!!!

Prost,
Dave

[scuncio]

Very cool!!

[Lynn]

Congrats Dave. Absolutely timeless body style. Climbing in value even today.

When evaluating cars that would be future classics back in the 80's, Road & Track ran a piece on the E9, which was very high on the list. The one caveat, which you already noted was: The bodies were assembled by Karmann, meaning they are very prone to rust. They went on to say: "Karmann invented rust, then licensed the process to the Italians."

I used to have 6 or 7 sets of those carbs laying around, but there was just no market for them. Hopefully, someone makes parts for them now. In the late 80s it was impossible to get the diaphragm. Plenty of aftermarket stuff available, both downdraft and side draft, and some will really wake that big six up, but given how original this one is, you are probably better keeping it as original as possible.

Strangely, the 4 doors from the same era (E3) all had four wheel disc brakes. I had a spare disc brake rear suspension sitting around for a while as well, thinking I would scoop up an E9 and make a CSL clone. Bad ass cars, and the one that put BMW on the map in the racing world.

Nothing but fun here. If you can't stand the slush box (and they are NOT nearly as bullet proof as the engines) converting to a stick is quite easy. Weekend job for me. Lunch break job for you.

[A12pilot]

Thanks Lynn. It'll be a tinker-toy until the 507 is done.

Thinking full on late model running gear swap!

Cheers
Dave

[Crush]

Very cool car, these have grown on me over the years. Are you planning on painting it or leaving the patina?

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by A12pilot

Thanks Lynn. It'll be a tinker-toy until the 507 is done.

Thinking full on late model running gear swap!

Cheers
Dave

Uh, huh, just like the Jag was just going to be a "driver" until the 507 was done... and I'm sure Kelly believes that...

My better half has heard that for 20 years too...

[olredalert]

----I have always liked this series. The later build date the better. I had two buddies I grew up with that persuaded thier fathers to buy one of these and I used to detail both of them. They are definetly very cool! I think it's a score, Dave!....Bill S

[A12pilot]

Oh, I know Mitch. I’m sorta famous for this!

We’ll see what all goes down with what I want to do.

I know one thing, time to tinker!

Cheers
Dave

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by A12pilot

I’m sorta famous for this!
Cheers
Dave

My wife's famous line, when I bring up a subject like this is " Why don't you just fix the cars you have, instead of always buying some other piece of junk ?? !!

[Billohio]

that does look solid. good starting place