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The "Junk-Yard-Dog"
One fine morning two years ago, I was on my way to work. Nearby on the way, is a small junk yard. They were just arriving for work themselves, and the wrecker had a pretty straight 320 in tow. I filed it away in my brain for future reference, since "you never know when you might need a part" for a 21 year-old car like mine. Sure enough, soon, I needed a heater control linkage so paid them a visit to pick their 320 clean if need be. "Its right there in the back lot", they said. "I don’t think anything’s been removed from it yet. Just go help yourself." I found it, sitting on three flat tires, sunk to the axles in mud. The inside was strewn with trash and car parts, and in a lot of ways it was different from mine. The dash was all in German, and there was this huge air cleaner housing on the passenger seat that said "BMW" on it. I couldn’t use the heater control valve, but decided to raise the hood and glance at the engine. Expecting the normal filthy fuel injected four cylinder, there instead resided a Six, with this huge foreign four barrel carburetor sitting on it. It all looked factory to me and I had no idea what I was looking at. I went back to the office, and told them there was nothing I could use, but wondered if they ever sold complete cars. They said "not officially", but to make them an offer. I then went back home and went on-line to check it out with the BMW web sites. I found out what it was, that it was rare, and went back and made an offer. They towed it home for me that day.

What it was, was…..
A very raggedy silver Euro 320/6 made in Switzerland in 1979. And it Was all there like they said. No keys since it had been abandoned. The Bone-Yard had done a favor to someone with a rent-house. A previous tenant had left behind this car, and several others. It only took 15 minutes to have it running, because the key to my ’77 sort-of worked in it. A good sign! It ran well, too and everything worked except the carb was a mess. I called a friend and told him what I had and he offered me 5 times what I paid for it sight unseen. Subsequently, I have rebuilt this car with all new suspension parts, brakes, interior, body work, paint job and trim, carb, timing belt, tires and wheels (OEM turbine style). "First things first", was to get title for it and proper keys. This was an exercise in patience, since I was dealing with the State, and BMW will not issue keys via VIN number without proof of ownership. Patience prevailed, and both were forthcoming.

The hardest part of all this was that there was not a single body panel on the car that was not damaged in some way. The only rust was cosmetic, relative to some previous repairs, and around the windshield opening. Re-painting could not proceed until every panel was straight and smooth. It had been hit in the rear at some point and had a US 320 rear section welded in. A very poor job, too, and much re-work was needed there. A lot of sanding and hand work. One front fender was not salvageable. All this proceeded on my part, till that glorious day it was deemed ready for paint. I painted it myself, a color similar to the original. A Mix of white, silver, and a touch of gold to warm it up. The paint is currently unfinished, though, needing to be wet-sanded and re-shot with more coats of clear. My increasing lack of energy has slowed me down a lot. Even so, it looks great! I hope to have it finished by the fall of 2000.

The best part about this car is the sound. Being a musician and certified car nut at heart make this a big plus. This is the sweetest sound a car can make. The down side is that it only puts out 122 HP so is a little under what I’m used to. It may actually be a little less than that because it has a later model (’85) cylinder head on it. This would lower the compression ratio, reducing the output. Still, it is very fun to drive, and quite comfy with the special "sport" interior: Black leatherette with Recarro front seats. It could use a 5-speed tranny (with overdrive) since it’s geared down pretty low. Ah, for the future I guess. The future also holds a 2.7 liter motor as well, since I like the punch of a bigger engine. I am also adding air conditioning, so a bigger motor will help offset that extra drag. In the mean time, the 2-liter motor runs very well, uses no oil, and does not knock or clatter. It gets 25-28 MPG and starts instantly (now it does!). It will suffice at 166,666 and counting. This will probably be the last car restoration project I ever tackle. It’s certainly a lot of work and expense, but I sure am getting a lot out of it!