Classic CSL "Barn Find"

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songzunhuang
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Classic CSL "Barn Find"

Post by songzunhuang »

I just met this guy in Santa Cruz who inherited his late Grandfather's belongings. I just purchased a 1984 633 csi from him. While looking at all the spare tires that were in the garage I noticed another car under a tarp. I didn't know what it was, but after coming home and doing a bit of web research, I can see that it's a early 70's CSL coupe.

Are these worth restoring? This one would need a lot of attention, but it looks to be all there and it is for sale.He's also got a spare set of wheels and tires for the car. I've posted a picture below. If anyone is interested, PM me and I can forward contact information for this car.
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A car sitting for years under a tarp in the garage. Needs someone to return it to it's former glory.
A car sitting for years under a tarp in the garage. Needs someone to return it to it's former glory.
BarnFind.jpeg (110.69 KiB) Viewed 12806 times
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Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
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Ralph in Socal
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Post by Ralph in Socal »

All e9s are increasing in value. csi are very valuable, csl are even more so. Check to see if the hood is aluminum. Beautiful cars!


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Post by GazM3 »

If it's a CSL pm the details to me. Id be interested for sure.
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What shall I ask the owner to look for?

Post by songzunhuang »

GazM3 - I am not familiar with BMW's and can't really tell the difference in the models. What shall I ask the person to look for to understand if it's a CSL? Is the aluminum hood the giveaway? (This was mentioned by Ralph)

Let me know. I'm going to see the owner again on Tuesday to finish up the deal for the other car. I can ask or get more pictures then.
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Song Huang
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Post by s_alvy »

Song, PM sent....

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Wheels to go with the car?

Post by songzunhuang »

I wanted to add that on a rack in the garage was a spare set of wheels. I've never seen BMW wheels like this before so I am guessing it goes with the car under the cover. The wheels are in rally good shape though.
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This wheel was one of a set on a rack against the wall of the garage. I'm guessing it goes with the classic coupe.
This wheel was one of a set on a rack against the wall of the garage. I'm guessing it goes with the classic coupe.
Old BMW Wheels.jpeg (62.95 KiB) Viewed 12730 times
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Song Huang
1984 633CSi
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Post by GripGreg »

Song
Those E9's are always worth restoring but, don't let him know you might be excited!
Just tell him you might know someone that might be interested.
And yes, it seems those wheels are a part of the CSi package.
In fact, look under the cover at the right and left rear for some number & letter designation.
Also, look under the hood to see if it's injected or not? Is it a 4 spd or automatic? You notice I didn't say 'autotragic out of respect?
What else is stashed away in there? A BMW gold mine?
You might find some wheels for your 'new' baby!
Oh yeah: Also, look inside that red tool chest.
There must be a plethora of tools! :wink:
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Re: Wheels to go with the car?

Post by Pod »

songzunhuang wrote:I wanted to add that on a rack in the garage was a spare set of wheels. I've never seen BMW wheels like this before so I am guessing it goes with the car under the cover. The wheels are in rally good shape though.
Those are called "Chromadoras" and were a regular fitment on E9s. They would also fit your car - I think they look good on an E24.

Check the vin on the car and look at the front seats (take pictures for us!). You could try sticking a magnet on the doors, boot and bonnet. I think its unlikely to be a CSL - but you never know!

Whatever model it is, its worth good money and I'd buy it if I were you.
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Post by darrylg »

How much is he asking?

I'm sure if it's a real CSL, it's beyond my budget anyway.
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Post by GripGreg »

Song
If you're interested, go to 'cars & parts for sale' here.
TCD has some nice wheels for sale with low mileage tires.
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OK, I'll take a look

Post by songzunhuang »

Thanks for the reply. Being new to this forum and BMWs, I've got a lot to absorb. I was hoping to get assistance because I need to make a decision within a week. You see, I have to move the car out of the place it's garaged and I was hoping to get new wheels before I did. We will see how it goes.
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Song Huang
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Post by Roku35 »

This is exciting! Barn finds are always fun!
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1985 Euro 635CSi CR 5-Spd (Polaris/Schwartz)
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Post by Pod »

It just occurred to me, looking at the photo again, that the bonnet looks as if its been on the car for a long time as it kinda matches the surrounding bodywork, dirt-wise. However, note there is apparently no rust on the bonnet! Maybe nothing to get excited about, but aluminium bonnets don't rust, do they...................... :wink:
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Ralph in Socal
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Post by Ralph in Socal »

Pod wrote:It just occurred to me, looking at the photo again, that the bonnet looks as if its been on the car for a long time as it kinda matches the surrounding bodywork, dirt-wise. However, note there is apparently no rust on the bonnet! Maybe nothing to get excited about, but aluminium bonnets don't rust, do they...................... :wink:
Exactly why I said to check the hood!! I saw the same thing. Good eyes Pod.


Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
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Post by GripGreg »

Good eyes Ralph & Pod! Also, it isn't the same color blue. :-k
Like Roku says, this is getting VERY interesting!
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Post by Pod »

Ralph in Socal wrote:Exactly why I said to check the hood!! I saw the same thing. Good eyes Pod.Ralph
Its my brain cells, Ralph - it took over two days for the image to get down the optic nerves and register :lol:

I'm glad I'm far, far away, otherwise I think I'd be hot-footing it over to Santa Cruz with a fistful of $$$$s (just in case).
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Post by hornhospital »

The car is blue below the chrome belt strip, and silver above.
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Another angle of the barnfind car.

Post by songzunhuang »

So this group clearly has people who know what to look for. I haven't been back to see the car, but I do have one more picture from my visit last weekend. This is a picture from the other side. Maybe there will be something interesting here. I will see the car again on Sunday. I'll get more pics.
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Drive side view of the Barn Find Beemer.
Drive side view of the Barn Find Beemer.
BMWAnother angle.jpeg (120.51 KiB) Viewed 11729 times
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Song Huang
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Post by hornhospital »

Well, I stand (or sit) corrected. That picture shows the paint is gone from the upper fender on the passengers side (LHD), and not painted a different color above the belt strip. Oh, well. :oops:
Last edited by hornhospital on Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Another angle of the barnfind car.

Post by Pod »

songzunhuang wrote:So this group clearly has people who know what to look for. I haven't been back to see the car, but I do have one more picture from my visit last weekend. This is a picture from the other side. Maybe there will be something interesting here. I will see the car again on Sunday. I'll get more pics.
As I said before, take some more pics. including front seats. Get the vin (it will be on a plate rivetted to the right front inner wing and also stamped on the firewall, right of centre as you look from behind the car). Take a magnet with you and surreptitiously try the bonnet (hood), boot (trunk) & doors. Has it got manual transmission? Does it have fuel injection?

Report back to us.

Simples :wink:
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Post by SWE635 »

If genuine, this would easily be a $100.000* car these days, right?
And most likely at least double that in ten years or so.

Needs a Batman-kit, though! ;)

*Not in current state, of course.
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Post by TBM »

Would a VIN number tell you if its a CSL?
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Post by Pod »

TBM wrote:Would a VIN number tell you if its a CSL?
There are some who have this data although its not generally available. :-$
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Spoiler - It's not a CSL (Lots of pics)

Post by songzunhuang »

As I promised to the many folks that inquired, during my visit to the Barn Find today, I took lots of pictures. The overall summary is that it appears to be a very complete car, but it's in need of a lot of attention. There were clearly come rodents residing in the car at some time in it's storage life.

The good news is that the rust is surface rust and it all appears usable. It will need a serious repaint to get it back to to it's former glory.

The interior is in pretty good shape. It looks better than the outside. I as amazed at the headliner. It looks intact and in great shape.

Also the engine appears complete.

The bad news is that it is NOT a CSL. There were signs of rust on the trunklid and the badge in back just says "CS". Still this would be a great car for someone with the time, money and patience to see it through.
Attachments
Walking up the car, you can see that it's been a long time since anyone paid attention to it.
Walking up the car, you can see that it's been a long time since anyone paid attention to it.
Under Cover.jpg (215.83 KiB) Viewed 11582 times
Here's the VIN for the car on the drivers side dash.
Here's the VIN for the car on the drivers side dash.
VIN Number.jpg (258.39 KiB) Viewed 11582 times
Here's what the driver's side looks like. It's in pretty good shape all things considered.
Here's what the driver's side looks like. It's in pretty good shape all things considered.
Driver side.jpg (219.52 KiB) Viewed 11582 times
Opening the driver door, you can see that it's in pretty good shape. The carpet and seats are a blue cloth. They will need to be redone.
Opening the driver door, you can see that it's in pretty good shape. The carpet and seats are a blue cloth. They will need to be redone.
Driver door.jpg (213.79 KiB) Viewed 11582 times
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Song Huang
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More pictures - since only 4 allowed per post.

Post by songzunhuang »

Here's a continuation of my pictures.
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The Dash is in goos shape and is compete. The seats and carpet will definitely need help.
The Dash is in goos shape and is compete. The seats and carpet will definitely need help.
Dash.jpg (219.56 KiB) Viewed 11581 times
The headliner is in awesome shape.
The headliner is in awesome shape.
Headliner.jpg (196.16 KiB) Viewed 11581 times
Here's the builder and perhaps the number is the color code?
Here's the builder and perhaps the number is the color code?
Karmann.jpg (206.35 KiB) Viewed 11581 times
Here's where the magic happens right? The engine wasn't in as bad a shape as I expected. Will need work though.
Here's where the magic happens right? The engine wasn't in as bad a shape as I expected. Will need work though.
Engine.jpg (271.68 KiB) Viewed 11581 times
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Song Huang
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