Restored 1983 320i in USA

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dumbclub
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My E21(s): 1983 320i
Location: North Carolina, USA
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Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by dumbclub »

It has taken me quite a few years to get around to adding my car to the Registry, but it's finally here. The original owner was my brother-in-law and I have owned it since 1997.

Details of the restoration can be found here:http://www.e21restoration.com

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1983 320iS with 95k miles.
Originally Graphit, repainted Imolarot.
One family owned since new, mine since 1997.
Every part replaced - Millions invested.
BMW Car Club of America member since 1973
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uwbuurman
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My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by uwbuurman »

Omg!! Wow what a super cool and tidy car you have there! Few questions: did you fabricate that bracket that holds the jack? Some more pics of that please.

And dou you have the original headlight wipers? On a single headlight car it is super rare! Realy! You have the headlight rings for it. Those are also worth a lot of money.

Great car, great to have you here, welcome.
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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Peter V.
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by Peter V. »

Very big welcome. Nice E21 you have there.
Gr Peter V.

.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.

BMW E21, 1981 320/6 Ascot Grau.
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misza
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by misza »

Very nice e21. Everything looks great, only the e30 boot lip dont fit here imo. What radio u have? Have u been on dyno?
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l3v4rt
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by l3v4rt »

Oh the car looks great and I love the color! Very nice work with the web page with the restoration, great job!
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gerrit323
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by gerrit323 »

Great car .. welcome .. nice to see they get appriciated more and more :thumbsup
1992 Mazda mx5
1994 e36 m3
2015 Renault Mégane RS 275 trophy
2019 Abarth esseesse
2020 caterham 310R
2021 ford custom sportvan



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dumbclub
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My E21(s): 1983 320i
Location: North Carolina, USA
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by dumbclub »

Thanks to everyone for the nice responses.

I'll try to answer some of the questions:
- The jack and lug wrench bracket is standard from the factory, at least it's what came on all 1980-83 USA models.
- I found the headlight wipers/washers/motors on eBay from a source in Germany. The headlight rings with the wiper stops were the only ones available from BMW at the time I bought them, around 2009. I don't think they have any 7" rings available now.
- I have not dynoed the car, but my guess for the modifications I made during the engine rebuild is 130-140 horsepower. My website has details of the rebuild.
- The e30 deck lid spoiler fits nicely if you carefully reshape the edges. I used a very sharp woodworking block plane and a lot of trial and error fitting.
- The radio is a BMW Business AM/FM/Cassette from an e36. Nothing special, but I think it looks at home in the early 1980s interior.

-John
1983 320iS with 95k miles.
Originally Graphit, repainted Imolarot.
One family owned since new, mine since 1997.
Every part replaced - Millions invested.
BMW Car Club of America member since 1973
User avatar
dumbclub
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Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:34 am
My E21(s): 1983 320i
Location: North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by dumbclub »

I know info and pictures of the single headlight wipers are hard to find, so here are some detials:

Image

The small hook-shaped thing under the wiper arm post is the washer nozzle.

Image

Image
1983 320iS with 95k miles.
Originally Graphit, repainted Imolarot.
One family owned since new, mine since 1997.
Every part replaced - Millions invested.
BMW Car Club of America member since 1973
User avatar
dumbclub
Newbee
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:34 am
My E21(s): 1983 320i
Location: North Carolina, USA
Contact:

Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by dumbclub »

And here's how I modified the e30 spoiler to fit the e21 deck lid:

Image

Some of the openings on the underside had to be enlarged (with a Dremel grinder) to fit the nuts and fiber washers that line up with the threaded posts on the e30 spoiler.

Image

Image
1983 320iS with 95k miles.
Originally Graphit, repainted Imolarot.
One family owned since new, mine since 1997.
Every part replaced - Millions invested.
BMW Car Club of America member since 1973
User avatar
uwbuurman
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My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
Location: Ljouwert

Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by uwbuurman »

Wow, the headlight wipera are on!! I have seen a lot of , but I have only seen a single headlight e21 with wipers once before. That was at the Essen motorshow last year, at the bmw stand. So cool.

Nice modifications to that tail spoiler.
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
BrunoT
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by BrunoT »

nice build. brilliant attention to detail
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BertjeConti
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by BertjeConti »

Impressive car, like the overall detailling.
Image
Megasquirted '77 E12 520-6

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Jeroen
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Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by Jeroen »

Compliments from this side as well, for the work and the pics. Those headlight wipers... wonderful!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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uwbuurman
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My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
Location: Ljouwert

Re: Restored 1983 320i in USA

Post by uwbuurman »

Hope you are still with us, since your site is offline. Hope you have a happy birthday!
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
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