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Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 3:22 am
by Ed Lyerly
Hello BigCoupe.com friends. Today I would like to introduce Merlot, my new to me 1985 M635. She is Burgunrot metallic (199) with a special order (9990) white leather interior. She is my second M635 and is the result of sellers remorse after selling my 1st M635 that her original owner named Crystal. You can see her details and history here by searching "Introducing Crystal" in this Gallery forum.
I was taken by her unusual color combination when she was advertised for sale in the BMW Club "Roundel" magazine back in 2016. Unfortunately, I was late to the bidding and missed my chance then. I did talk with the buyer then and due to some recent changes in his situation .... we agreed on a recent purchase which brought Merlot from New Mexico to North Carolina. I'm looking at Merlot as a "keeper" .... and long time project ....and plan to make incremental changes an improvements over time. OK ..... so here she is:
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/8972/FY0uoU.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img923/1176/lAL1ZZ.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img923/4775/ToQx93.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img924/1152/fBRu7Y.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img924/7168/72Fsff.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/8228/XxjcU5.jpg

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 5:36 am
by clipper47
She is a stunning beauty!

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 1:49 am
by ozbmwnut
Wow... Just wow.

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 6:51 am
by jps635
Thats amazing, and the garage

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:41 pm
by Ed Lyerly
Thanks for the kind words about Merlot. Her unusual color combo is really what drew me to her. She is really a "10 footer" with many small imperfections that I hope to mostly correct over time without making a trailer queen out of her :)

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 3:23 pm
by brickwhite
I'll fix the images....

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Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:17 pm
by GRNSHRK
Oh my, stunning is right =D>

Wow, think I'd be covering those seats =P~

Nice find Ed, surely we need to hear more about this absolute beauty [-o<

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 3:13 am
by G03rt2
That is a beautiful car. The paint, the interior, the wheels. It's all perfect. The stable isn't half bad either lol

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:47 am
by baders
Beautiful car with beautiful colour combination Ed. Nice pick up indeed. Is that a bulkhead mounted subwoofer I'm seeing there ?

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:29 pm
by Ed Lyerly
GRNSHRK wrote: Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:17 pm Oh my, stunning is right =D>

Wow, think I'd be covering those seats =P~

Nice find Ed, surely we need to hear more about this absolute beauty [-o<
Thank you Bobbo. The car has an interesting history. It was originally ordered by Prestige Imports in Kenner, LA. It was brought in to the port at LA/SF in December of '84 and federalized (as it is a euro "gray market" car) by G&K Automotive in Santa Ana, CA. The car was then driven from there to Prestige Imports in LA. Unfortunately, in route it was involved in an accident in Texas which caused damage to the front end. Prestige Imports sold the damaged car to Hood Motors in LA who resold it to Classic Auto in Tupelo, MS. Classic repaired the car and the owner of Classic Auto drove it as his personal car until it was sold in 10/88 on the 1st title with 3800 miles on the odometer. The new owner had the car shipped to WA and put approximately 60K miles on the car in his 28 year ownership. It changed hands again in 2016 and was relocated to New Mexico where the new owner enjoyed it until some health issues motivated him to sell the car to me. I had also been talking with the 28 year owner about purchasing the car back in 2016, but the New Mexico buyer got there first. I got the New Mexico buyers contact info and stayed in touch with him ..... so he knew he had a buyer for the car if he ever wanted to sell it. When that option was offered, I was 1st in line this time :D

PS ..... I do have a slip on cover for the driver seat, which helps a lot.

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:33 pm
by Ed Lyerly
baders wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:47 am Beautiful car with beautiful colour combination Ed. Nice pick up indeed. Is that a bulkhead mounted subwoofer I'm seeing there ?
Thank you ! Keen eye picking up the subwoffer :)

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:18 pm
by Ronnie Wilson
Hi Ed

Nice colour combination.

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 9:45 pm
by tschultz
wow, very unique combo, looks very nice!

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:31 pm
by gray635
Wow, Ed! She's a beauty. :shock: That lotus white interior looks remarkably spotless. Great find.

Did you get tired of fooling with that Pantera?

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 12:18 am
by Ed Lyerly
Thanks Mike ! I appreciate your kind words. I've had sellers remorse ever since I sold my '85 M635 "Crystal" back in '13. I saw this car for sale back in '16 and fell in love with the color combo ..... I regretted missing the opportunity to buy it then ..... and basically "stalked" the PO, so when he reluctantly decided to let it go due to some health issues, I was 1st in line :) I'm very pleased to again be able be a participant (instead of a spectator) at the Southeast Sharkfest and The Vintage in 2019 :)
I still have the Pantera but will likely put it up for sale in the Spring ..... it could be yours if you are interested.
Ed

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:35 pm
by Dimi555
wow. byoo-tee-full!

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2019 3:38 am
by Ed Lyerly
Thank you Dimi555 !
I'm happy to be a participant in the Southeast Sharkfest again in 2019 after being only a spectator for the last several years :)

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:17 am
by 7thtolast
Luvly....i was just noticing your valve cover...and the differences...with my 88 us m6....wondering if that has something to do with the emission differences between euro and us....with euro single row timing chain vs the double row for us? Or is it just model year difference thing!
My oil filler cap is up above the sprockets...i dont have bmw roundel...instead it says bmw-m power :-k

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:12 pm
by Ed Lyerly
7thto last,

Thanks for your kind words about Merlot. To answer your question .... I believe it is a model year thing. My previous M635 "Crystal" had the same configuration. Crystal was born 3/85 where Merlot was born on 9/84. What the US M6 model owners usually notice on that side of the engine bay is the "bundle of snakes" SS header system that the grey market euro cars came with.

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:52 pm
by 7thtolast
I did notice those works of art as well!

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:07 am
by Ed Lyerly
Come on down to the Southeast Sharkfest in a couple weeks in SC (April 26-28) and we can compare notes on these very special cars.

https://www.bmwsharkfest.org/#/Southeas ... st2019/e30

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:26 pm
by 7thtolast
I wish I could...thnx!
There is just too much to do....

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:19 pm
by hornhospital
Attendance this year was planned, but my wife just had a knee replacement and she needs me here. Next year!

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2020 3:06 am
by Ed Lyerly

Re: Introducing Merlot

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 8:17 pm
by Caff
that is one absolutely stunning car! :-"