Is the 6-series the most beautiful BMW ever? It’s certainly not the most expensive.
– Today, that is. When the new 6-series (or in BMW-code: E24) was introduced in March 1976 it joined the 7-series in an attack on the upper echelons of the automotive world. The E24 superseded the former CS-series, as it (codename E9) was getting a bit long in the tooth. It was after all essentially based on the 4-cylinder 2000CS of 1965. The newcomer took over in even more comfort-focused fashion: The E24 was larger and heavier, and in its original carburetted 630CS form actually slower then the lighter and (in famous 3.0 CSi-guise) more powerful predecessor – but also roomier, more comfortable and incredibly even prettier.
The 635CSi from 1978 set out to rectify the speed deficit: The bigger engine was now always injected, and more torque as well as power meant performance to just about match the competition from Mercedes, Porsche and Jaguar. Although the BMW was the cheapest of the group, you’d still pay almost 50.000 Deutschmark for the privilige of the Bavarian coupé. But then it held its own for many, many years – it’s longevity testiment to a brilliant design. Longevity of design, that is – rustwise it was not much better than the predecessor, which is why you must always start with that aspect in any E24-purchase.
And so I did: I encountered this lovely Alpine white BMW 635 CSi at the Bremen Classic Motorshow yesterday, and could not help myself from being drawn to the big and elegant coupé. Straight panels, good paintwork, 3 former owners, 141.000 kilometers and an absolutely original appearence seduced me. It all seemed very solid and Euro 17.500 was enough to make you the next owner.
Upon closer inspection I found that the lower bodywork had been repainted to a good standard – and that “good standard” could actually be the key word for the car in general: The interior was very clean, the leather seats in great shape, no problems around the sunroof, and not just was the gearbox a manual but in actual fact the rare and sought-after 5-speed dogleg. Everything seemed to work. Although the engine bay had not been detailed to any great degree all seemed fine and dry. And the sellers were eager. The car was not perfect – which the price reflects – but it seemed an honest car in great spec. I recalled my former 628 CSi with warm sentiments, shortly considering this one – but decided instead to pass the offer on to you, dear ViaRETRO-readers. Find the contact details on the below photo and please answer me this: Isn’t this a huge amount of supercruiser for the money?
Full report from Bremen Classic Motorshow coming up!
With our Saturday instalment of Prime Find of the Week, we’re offering our services to the classic car community, by passing on our favourite classic car for sale from the week that passed. This top-tip might help a first-time-buyer to own his first classic, or it could even be the perfect motivation for a multiple-classic-car-owner to expand his garage with something different. We’ll let us inspire by anything from a cheap project to a stunning concours exotic, and hope that you will do the same.
Just remember – Any Classic is Better than No Classic! We obviously invite our readers to help prospective buyers with your views and maybe even experiences of any given model we feature. Further to that, if you stumble across a classic which you feel we ought to feature as Prime Find of the Week, then please send us a link to primefindoftheweek@viaretro.co.uk