A little piece of E21 convertible history

[Jeroen]

In 1977 BMW handed two young used E21's over to partners, a 1976 316 to Karmann and a 1976 320i to Baur. BMW requested to investigate the possibilities to make a convertible version as customers were missing one after the 02 Baur models.

Karmann proved quite pricey at around 35.000DM for a 316 (sedan price tag back then approx. 15.000 DM. A 316 Baur was estimated at 20.000DM and we all know what supplier they made a deal with.

I knew Karmann made a prototype, it is even available as a scale model produced by Avenue 43 models in a 1/43 scale:



There are a few vintage low res photos of the Karmann around, like this one:



However, as we speak it appears as the original Karmann prototype is still very much alive and being offered for sale at the German Retro Classics fair in Stuttgart, Germany (Feb 27-Mar 2, 2025). A few pictures we found on the web:













Sadly, no details on seller or price tag. Car looks pretty original apart from painted inner wheel wells (these were black on early production E21's) and the fact that a different Karmann logo is used on the front wings. The one on the original version was this:



Pretty sure the other Jeroen (know as Jeroen-Baur ) will chime in if any comments!

[uwbuurman]

Very cool item. I think it won't drive like your typical Baur, but it is a great showroom piece.

[Jeroen]

Yup, same as the other (later aftermarket) fully convertible versions like from Lumma and Peters for example, lacking rigidity.

[325ixbaur]

Sadly, no details on seller or price tag.

It's not for sale. It's part of the VW-collection, they bought the complete Karmann-collection.

Apart from the price, Karmann also made a small mistake. What Karmann didn't know was that BMW planned to produce the E21 with 6-pot engines...and Karmann had a reinforcement within the enginebay which wouldn't allow the 320/6 or 323i. Okay, they might have been able to change this, but still.

Gr Jeroen

[Jeroen]

Sadly, no details on seller or price tag.

It's not for sale. It's part of the VW-collection, they bought the complete Karmann-collection.

We know now, it was nice to meet up with the owner at Techno Classica last week. Will share some additional photos later.

Apart from the price, Karmann also made a small mistake. What Karmann didn't know was that BMW planned to produce the E21 with 6-pot engines...and Karmann had a reinforcement within the enginebay which wouldn't allow the 320/6 or 323i. Okay, they might have been able to change this, but still.

We noticed the reinforcements indeed. However, the prototype was made as per request of BMW and made on a car made available by BMW, so that is all Kamann had available at that moment.