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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!

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

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

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

325ixbaur wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:57 am

Jeroen wrote: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.

325ixbaur wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:57 amApart 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.