1970 BMW 2800CS

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this stunning 1970 BMW 2800CS E9 coupe. We have owned and brokered many E9s over the years, but none have been as well documented, well preserved or so highly regarded within the vintage BMW community as this one. This coupe is one of only 641 manual transmission 2800s built for the US market over the course of the model's three-year run before the 3.0CS debut in 1971. It was imported through Hoffman Motors before being transferred to Ocean Motors in Santa Monica where it was sold to its first owner. It was optioned with air conditioning, leather upholstery, power windows, metallic paint, tinted glass and velour floor mats. A copy of the original window sticker is included, and it carried a price of $9,381 when new.

The first owner kept the car for 16 years and 116,000 miles -- it was dealer or specialist serviced and garaged at his home in Pacific Palisades. At 111k miles this E9 had a clutch and flywheel and at 115k miles it received a top-end engine rebuild. The second owner, based in Oakland, purchased the car in 1986 and he kept it garaged over the course of his 31 years and 13,000 miles of ownership. He was an active BMWCCA member and showed the car extensively in concours events taking several podium finishes (these trophies are included with the sale). All service was kept up to date and well documented.

In 2017 the second owner sold it to a fellow CCA member based in Newport Beach who also happened to be the BMWCCA national concours chairman and a member of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance executive committee. This very knowledgeable third owner embarked on a mild "preservation refurbishment" over the course of a year that included new OEM exhaust, front seat restoration in correct leather, full brake system rebuild, restoration of the original Zenith 35/40 carburetors, fluids, major service, ignition components, and a light cosmetic restoration of engine compartment.

When this coupe was offered for sale on behalf of the third owner by a respected dealer we know in California in 2018, we brought it to the attention of a local friend and enthusiast collector who had been on the hunt for a really nice E9 -- our commentary at the time was, "it's expensive, but you won't find a better one." So the fourth owner purchased the car and shipped it from California to his home in Georgia; he has added approximately 3,000 miles over the last six years mostly participating in vintage touring events. All service has been kept up to date and Vredestein tires (with 2022 date codes) were recently installed on BMW 14-inch alloy wheels.

Thanks to a lifetime of careful and caring owners and the mild California climate, this E9 presents beautifully throughout -- it had one high-quality repaint in 1997 in the correct color that still looks fantastic. Original glass and trim are excellent, body gaps are very good, and the undercarriage is dry, rust free and original with no known previous repairs (aside from a few paint touchups underneath to prevent surface corrosion). The interior is all original, except for the aforementioned front seats, and a true time capsule. Dash, wood, door cards and headliner are all in exquisite original condition. The dealer-installed Clasonic AM/FM stereo and power antenna function properly. The engine bay is nicely detailed and correct with original labels. It runs and drives as good as it looks -- the original, numbers-matching M30 is smooth and pulls strong and the clutch and ZF four-speed gearbox feel great. This is a fun car to drive spiritedly but also a lovely car for highway touring. The original A/C system is fully intact but not blowing cold. Remarkably, the original “unobtanium” front under tray has been retained and is wrapped in bubble wrap for storage to be installed for concours events.

Included with the sale are service records to new, owner's books including stamped service book, copy of original window sticker, complete original tool kit, original sales literature, California blue plate, show trophies and photographs, factory service manuals, under tray and the original wood steering wheel. An E9 this well preserved and so highly documented is hard, if not nearly impossible, to come by and this one is ready for its next owner to enjoy for shows or touring. For more information about this 1970 BMW 2800CS for sale at Motorcar Studio in Savannah, please call 912-235-0435.