Upcoming Auction

Intro

1972 BMW 3.0S EURO, 50,000 km (TMU), seller states rust-free, one quality repaint in original Baikal Blue, imported to the U.S. in 2023 from northern Italy. The E3 "New Six" sedan launched in 1968 as the 2500 and 2800, reestablishing BMW as a maker of large, fast, driver-oriented saloons, and the 3.0S arrived in 1971 as the top carbureted version. This European-market 3.0S spent its life in northern Italy before the current owner brought it stateside in 2023, and it has passed through three known owners including the seller. It has no air conditioning and no sunroof, which makes for a lighter, simpler, and more original car. This example is now offered for sale on Collector Chassis with a clear title. This car is in northeast Georgia and, in the seller's words, “is one of the best E3s anywhere”.

Exterior

Seller states the body is rust-free, which is the single most important thing to know about any E3. The car has received one quality repaint in its original factory color, Baikal Blue, a period metallic that suits the long, clean lines of the Paul Bracq-influenced sedan. As a European-market car, it retains the slim chrome bumpers rather than the heavy U.S. impact bumpers, preserving the correct proportions of the design. There is no known accident history. Please refer to the photo gallery for detail of the paint, brightwork, and trim.

Interior

The cabin is the E3's classic driver-focused layout with a full set of round instruments in a padded, crack-free dash. All gauges are reported to be working. New front seat belts have been installed. The car was ordered without a sunroof and without air conditioning. The velour/vinyl interior color is Sandbeige Tan with wood trim accents, and period radio. Glove box includes correct owner’s manual.

Mechanicals

Power comes from the BMW M30 3.0-liter (2,985 cc) single-overhead-cam inline six with twin Zenith 35/40 INAT carburetors, rated at 180 horsepower (132 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 188 lb-ft (255 Nm) of torque at 3,700 rpm in European tune. It is mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller reports the engine runs well and burns no oil. The odometer reads ~50,000 km but total mileage is unknown. The suspension has been completely refreshed with new Bilstein shocks and larger performance sway bars, and the brake calipers have been rebuilt within the last two years. The E3 came from the factory with four-wheel disc brakes, MacPherson strut front suspension, and semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension, which is why these cars still drive so well today.

Seller Comments

This is a Euro '72 3.0S, imported to the U.S. in 2023 from a collector in northern Italy. It is rust-free and has had one quality repaint in the original Baikal Blue. Total mileage is unknown, but the engine runs well and burns no oil. Suspension has been totally refreshed including new shocks and large sway bars. No A/C or sunroof. Includes complete toolkit with correct tools. Selling only because I am out of storage space. One of the best E3s anywhere.

Additional Seller Comments

Three known owners including the seller. Work completed in the last two years includes rebuilt brake calipers, new shocks, performance sway bars, and new seat belts. Modifications are limited to the shocks and sway bars. No known crashes. All gauges work. As a European-market 1972 car imported under the 25-year rule, it is exempt from federal EPA and DOT requirements; state emissions-testing rules for vehicles of this age vary, and buyers should verify the requirements in their own state.