The BMW I Never Knew Existed is the BMW I've Always Wanted

"SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)" (sammauri) 09/09/2014 at 12:01 • Filed to: None

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Jalopnik, Oppositelock and those who live here are known for their love of the wagon, or estate, or shooting brake, or avant, or whatever you'd like to call it. I too share this fondness for a little extra out back, which is why I spent a fair amount of time last night looking at BMW 2002 Tourings instead of working or sleeping. For those of you who may not be as Neue Klasse obsessed as I am, the '02 Touring is an odd little hatchback version of my beloved 2002 that was available from 1971 until 1974. After looking through a number of Tourings, I had a thought...

What if BMW had made an E3 or E9 estate? E3's are essentially a 4 door luxury car that, while I believe they are considered a part of the 7-series lineage, would be similar to a modern day 5-series. The E9 is a part of the 6-series lineage, and included the famed 3.0CSL. Any good Jalop would have found nirvana if only BMW had produced one of these beautiful cars in estate form, right?

Well, here's the thing... They did. (Sort of)

Okay, so technically BMW didn't make an estate version of either the E3 or E9, but that didn't mean that you couldn't buy one.

Enter: Langley Motors.

In the very late 60's, a BMW dealership in London called Langley Motors had the magnificent idea to convert a few of their 3.0si's (Bavarias to us Americans) into a roomier estate form. They dubbed it, fittingly, the BMW 3.0si Estate. No one seems to be quite sure of how many Estates Langley Motors produced, but a good estimate is 10, plus or minus 2, and they were only available in the U.K. This makes the 3.0si Estate one of the rarest BMWs ever produced. And I need one.

Fun Fact: One man has owned 4 of them.

It's interesting to note the similarities between this car and the 735i Touring Prototype that BMW produced 11 years later. The rear hatch and that adorable little butt seem to have so much in common, and I think it would be safe to say that the 3.0si Estate likely had some heavy handed influences with the 735i Touring Prototype's design.

The silver Estate in most of these pictures is a 1970, and was completely restored by an American company called The Werkshop. I have included two photographs of a blue example, but my limited digging has found no information on it. A video is also attached at the bottom.

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505Turbeaux > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 12:04

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haha at least you found a few more pictures than I could when I wrote about the E3 touring. So sexy. Also look for Jobjoris's posts on the 02 tourings. He has one in Inka

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 12:08

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http://oppositeblog.kinja.com/

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > 505Turbeaux 09/09/2014 at 12:12

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I love the 02 Tourings. We actually had an Inka one at the shop I work for a few years back. My uncle brought me in just to see it (I was 15 at the time) because he knew how much I loved his 2002 Turbo. This E3 though... I need to find one. Not to buy, of course, but to stare at lustfully until I make the owner uncomfortable.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 12:17

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Thanks for the share! And thank you for introducing me to OppositeBlog, too.

TotallyThatStupid > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 12:49

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I almost bought an E3 touring out of Atlanta years ago (shoot, don't have the pictures handy). It was not one of the four used in the Werk Shop restoration, oddly enough. The Atlanta car was eventually scrapped. It was rusty and horrible and growing new and interesting life forms beyond belief, but I didn't care. I was willing - indeed, plotting - to send it to California where I lived at the time.

I envisioned cutting the roof off and attaching it to a good, clean body donor (because crack is a nasty mistress). At the time, a clean, running Bavaria was a sub-$1000 car, so why not. Throw an injected M30 with a 5-speed in it, and have a daily runner. Ah, the folly of youth.

RallyWrench > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 12:54

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An '02 Touring is the only one I'd realistically sell my '68 2002 for. 2002 Haus is here in SLO, the owner has a dark blue Tii Touring that's just wonderful.

Love me some E3 too, my dad had a Bavaria when I was little. I almost bought one in the same color about 6 months ago but found some spooky rust in the frame rails.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 13:05

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Sure thing - we're hoping it's a way for people who don't have the time to get to the "wheat" of OPPO, without all the chaff...

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > TotallyThatStupid 09/09/2014 at 13:14

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That would've been spectacular. I almost got an E3 instead of my 2002, but by that time Bav prices had increased a bit more than 2002 prices. I certainly don't regret my choice, but I would love to have both. A touring would just be the ultra-rare icing on the cake.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > RallyWrench 09/09/2014 at 13:21

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I would love a Touring, though I don't know if I would trade my '76 for it though I would gladly trade my Jeep. But I might have to do something along these lines. A turbo Touring is just bad ass.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 13:29

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That's a great idea. As much as I love the relaxed nature of Oppo, there have been a number of instances in which I couldn't find something later because it was buried underneath... who knows what. Ahaha

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 13:36

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It's really discouraging to spend some real time on writing something and/or taking photos and putting together a nice post, only for it to get 50 views and one comment before being drowned by "the fire hose of OPPO"...

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 13:42

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Shouts out to my 2 recommendations. I feel like timing is critical, but I haven't figured out what the peak time is, and I always feel weird reposting something that I posted earlier in the day so it usually is quickly lost.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 14:46

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Don't feel weird about one share back to OPPO later in the day, but I think Gamecat has asked that we do keep it to one.

RallyWrench > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 14:55

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Jeebus, that's absolutely perfect, and I've had a crisis. I have a set of real Turbo flares for mine, but can't decide if I want to fit them & be like everyone else, or go for full Alpina flares. It'll be awhile before I have it back on the road, so I have time to think on it :)

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > RallyWrench 09/09/2014 at 15:23

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Ahaha. I definitely know where you're coming from. I had a set of turbo flares for mine and ultimately decided against them. I think I would've felt guilty cutting into the fenders of a totally rust free car.

BiancaOvekp > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:28

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AZRCD > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:29

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Normally I'd agree with you about the hatch/wagon thing, and I mostly do, but this car here, this car needs NOTHING more to be perfectly drop dead gorgeous, or perfect period really. I'd have nirvana if I could own one.

Koshapig > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:33

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now you just need an iWatch to find it...

RallyWrench > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:35

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That's a debate I have with myself constantly. Mine's rust free, but I never intend to sell it, so I'm building it for me, and I want flares. I may change my mind down the road, but haven't yet.

duurtlang > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:37

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About those updates, here's a link: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tag/bmw-2002ti…

I hoon, therefore I am > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:39

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Hardtop all the things!

(Even if the break in the bright work at the door looks rather odd)

jayed_coins > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:40

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I think these cars are so gorgeous stock, I just can't fathom this decision.

RazoE > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:42

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it's like a stout little bulldog. I like it!

RazoE > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:42

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ooohhhhhhhh yeaaaahhhh.

jarlaxlecq > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:45

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Now thats just sexy

IPFreely > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:46

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Someone needs pimpslapped for this.

DanPadge > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:48

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I love the Touring, but the estate just looks like a bad photoshop.

Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:48

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SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > AZRCD 09/09/2014 at 15:50

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I love the 3.0, and have been lucky enough to have driven a number of them. Lets just say I'm glad they converted the E3. Ahaha.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > RallyWrench 09/09/2014 at 15:55

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We sound like we're having extremely similar dilemmas. Like you, I'm not planning on ever selling Alice (I can't sell a car I've named, right?), but I would still feel odd cutting up the fenders. And now that I've found my dream set of wheels, it's likely too late. Maybe once day I'll have enough cash to have custom lips built, and I'll slap on my flares!

SlowerTrafficKeepRight > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:58

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BMW is not my first choice when it comes to design but that car is incredible and I'm in love.

Gary Yogurt > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 15:58

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I love wagons/estates but I don't think the Hofmeister kink works here at all. The 4-door E30 has a pretty severe kink (more than the coupe) and BMW wisely moved it to the rear pillar. A thin C-pillar would make this so much cleaner.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > SlowerTrafficKeepRight 09/09/2014 at 16:05

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Welcome to the dark side.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 16:08

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Congrats on the front page!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Gary Yogurt 09/09/2014 at 16:08

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I agree. The Hofmeister kink really should be on the rear pillar but I think for what is essentially an aftermarket conversion they did a damn good job.

RallyWrench > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 16:17

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We have cookies.

Gary Yogurt > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 16:17

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Yeah, they did. As far as 1960s/70s German wagon conversions go, I think Binz did a better job with Mercedes.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 16:23

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Thanks, Dave!

craig-oesterling > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 16:26

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What is this oppositeblog you speak of?
Seriously though, do you limit it just by who you allow to have author privileges? I've experienced the weight of Oppo burial on my few posts as well. I'm mostly just doing Cars & Coffee related photo posts though, so I'm going to be doing them at carsandcoffee.kinja.com.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 16:27

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I'm going to go ahead and assume Travis noticed it on OppoBlog - ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > craig-oesterling 09/09/2014 at 16:35

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It's a project DasWauto, 505turbeaux and I have been working on for a while - kind of a live, rolling Best of OPPO. The three of us are the only curators right now, and it's completely made up of shares from OPPO. As we come across worthy posts, we put them over on OppoBlog - just trying to provide a service to the community. It's a great place to go if you've missed a few days of OPPO, and want to get caught up on some of what you've missed.

craig-oesterling > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/09/2014 at 16:38

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I might just drop oppo and frequent oppoblog. There's so much nothingness on oppo. Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > craig-oesterling 09/09/2014 at 16:44

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You're very welcome, but that's not exactly our intent with this... I do understand everyone has a different level of free time to spend on OPPO, so OppoBlog should be a good way for some to stay involved without getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of posts. Now I just need a personal assistant to do this for me on Facebook!

Kevin Barrett > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 16:58

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The relationship between the hatch and the D-pillar is really odd. I like it less and less the closer I get to the rear view of the car.

FayeFi9ylaf > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 17:12

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Jobjoris > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 17:49

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If you love 02-tourings maybe you can check my progress over here what 505Turbeaux is talking about . Although I really like this E3 touring, I can hardly find it looking better than an 02. Even when it's un-finished.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Jobjoris 09/09/2014 at 17:58

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That's awesome! The more I look at the 02 Tourings, the more I fear I'll have to get one. They really are beautiful. And I most certainly check out your progress :)

Rusty Shackleford > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 18:17

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E9's should be left the fuck alone. They are perfect as is.

RayNau8e0v > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 18:28

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Dead_Elvis, Inc. > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 18:48

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Missed opportunity for an additional Hoffmeister Kink.

scoob > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 19:27

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OCD ALERT! I want the roofline to be flat like the rest of the roof. :(

daryl bowden > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 20:00

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I gotta disagree, I think that looks hideous. Something about the proportions in the rear is just off.

jasonbo > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 20:19

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Ive seen one of those

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EtheridgeifbYl > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 20:44

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burpbeepburp > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 21:56

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Just take my money damnit!

Isn't the silver one missing some equipment in some of those pictures? Like a drivetrain, and interior, and bumpers?

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > burpbeepburp 09/09/2014 at 21:58

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Thats the same car but during restoration. Those should've been in a more chronological order, but I wrote this at 1am last night and I'm using that as an excuse.

burpbeepburp > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 22:01

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So is the Hover Conversion done now? Man that thing must look good flying next to a Delorean!

DoglegFirst > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/09/2014 at 23:10

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I want a shooting brake of this

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > RallyWrench 09/10/2014 at 00:06

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Alpina flares

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > DoglegFirst 09/10/2014 at 01:07

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I was just thinking this!

Rick Allen's Left Arm > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 01:15

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This is a crime against nature.

Cielmer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 01:16

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That stanced one made me vomit a little in my mouth, but that silver one holy gods. If I wasnt a fan of these cars before I sure as hell am now.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Cielmer 09/10/2014 at 01:24

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Personally, I really like the stanced one. I absolutely love the Bavaria stock, but I always felt they looked a little too high. This one takes it to the other extreme, but I think it's a great looking car. It's sitting on a set of wheels from my favorite company (Gotti), it's a great color combo, and it's sitting on air. I knew that not everyone would like it when I put it in the article, but that's okay. That one was for me.

And, you know what they say. Different strokes for different folks!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Koshapig 09/10/2014 at 01:25

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When I first read this comment I was completely confused. I just read the Apple Watch article and now I get it. Ahaha.

Jobjoris > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 01:33

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Well, I've got a really rotten body left, if you want it. The floorpan is really bad. And it's in Europe ;-)

scot > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 01:43

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~ Fabulous car! Incredible story!

But is that hatch fit acceptable ??

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 02:07

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STOP SHOWING ME THINGS I CAN'T HAVE. D:

JT_3K > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 02:39

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And even with the restore, they couldn't get the panel gaps right for the tailgate. #epicfail

MaartenNL > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 02:57

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SHARK!!!

What a stunning vehicle, the CSL just upped quite some steps on my wanted list..

$ 8 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 03:18

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Good ol' 60s build quality

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 07:39

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Neat :) the difficulty with these sorts of conversions is they usually look tacked on because of the standard c-pillar.

I wonder how difficult it is to remove the c-pillar and relocate it to the back as the d-pillar, and then build a new c-pillar so it looks similar to the b-pillar (lots of pillars there).

KremerK3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 07:45

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I just KNEW it, Austin Maxi tailgate! It's like every part of the car screams "i'm German!" But it got ripped a new asshole and by the Brits LOL.

torque > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/10/2014 at 08:41

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About the video...

The Werkshop ( http://www.thewerkshop.com/ ) must be pretty damn good at BMW restorations to have a guy ship one of these over (to IL,US) from England to have it restored

+ shipping over a 2nd of these extremely rare cars (admittedly a basket case) just so The Werkshop could for use it to create patterns to recreate the backend of the 1st car. And then shipping the 1st car back to England

+ good example of some hella crazy love for this particular model by at least 1 (clearly) car guy

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 09/10/2014 at 09:05

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But those are by far the best kind of things!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > torque 09/10/2014 at 09:08

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For sure. I'm guessing this was meant for the OP...

Kinja'd!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > scot 09/10/2014 at 09:14

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Hatch fit is definitely a little wonky, but it doesn't bother me as much as it should.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Jobjoris 09/10/2014 at 09:20

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Don't you tempt me!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/10/2014 at 09:30

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I know what you mean. The Hofmeister Kink feels a little out of place on this one... But at least there is a kink.

*cough* 735i Touring *cough*

Cielmer > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 10:05

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Exactly, That one after the stanced one definitely puts the jelly in my doughnut.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Cielmer 09/10/2014 at 10:10

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I am absolutely in love with the 3.0cs/csi/csl. Especially that color combination. I've actually been lucky enough to drive a few of them and they're a real treat. That is not a car I would ever even think of "stance-ing." It's just too perfect.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 10:22

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That's more what I was after. C-pillar that looks like it was meant to be there, although it is wanting for a Hofmeister kink at the very rear...

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 09/10/2014 at 10:28

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But is it really a BMW without a Hofmeister Kink? I mean... really ?

The e30 Touring did it well. Just kinky enough.

Jobjoris > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 11:11

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I've got a twin-carb setup to go along with that!

ph3w > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/10/2014 at 13:32

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My heart and soul hurts by looking at this picture... WHY do you slam/drop (ruin) a car that looks so damn hot

EtrnL_Frost > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 09/11/2014 at 01:05

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Kudos to the WerkShop - they did a FANTASTIC job redoing the suspension on my e36 m3. Once I find a reason to, they'll probably see the e39 m5 I swapped it for... for the same reason.

Keep up the good work guys!