Executive (water Buffalo Hide) Interior, Usaf 4-star Provenance, New Ac System on 2040-cars

Thinning out my collection, so I’m offering at a very good price this grey-market, federalized Bimmer  coupe which was purchased in Germany in 1985 by a US Air Force General and imported into the US that same year.  Here’s the story:

Brigadier (later 4-star) General Charles Boyd (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_G._Boyd), a Distinguished Flying Cross recipient and the only ex-Vietnam POW at attain the highest military rank, purchased this car new while stationed at Ramstein Air Base.  The import plate on the door jamb actually has his name inscribed as the importer, as opposed to a more typical “BMW of North America” or something of the sort.  The low mileage indicates he used this as a second or weekend car.  I purchased it with 55K miles in early 2010.

The car has all the features you’d expect of a Euro model, to include the more attractive small chrome bumpers and Euro-spec engine.  The speedometer/odometer was switched out when it was brought to the United States (in the same year as purchased, so it’s most likely very accurate), but all other instrumentation is in the original German.  The medium brown interior is of an exotic water buffalo hide, known as the “executive” option. The leather is thick and durable (no scratches or tears), and has attained a fine patina over the years.

The paint looks remarkable in many aspects, but does have some flaws.  Most significant is a softball-sized blemish on the hood where, during shipment, brake fluid must have dripped from the vehicle above; the spot’s been repainted and buffed out but is still quite noticeable.  If I were to keep this car I’d eventually do another respray to cover this and some other minor discoloration, but I’m willing now to let it go at a price that takes this aspect of the car into consideration.  There is no rust damage on the car, but given this model’s notoriety I suspect that some may have been repaired previously, prior to the repaint.  Nevertheless, the car is clean on top and underneath.  Pictures tell the story better than words in this case.

Not much more to say, as this car spent more time in storage than on the road in the four years I’ve owned it (I’ve got several vintage autos, and I wanted to preserve the low mileage on this one).  I did have a new AC compressor and drier installed in 2010, as it did not work when I purchased the car.  Fluids and a tune-up done, but again it was not driven much. The battery discharged while over the winter, so I put in a new one this Spring. I also just installed new brake pads.   It runs perfectly and drives smoothly … one of the most stable cars I’ve ever driven, especially around corners.  There’s not much lean involved at all.

Happy to answer any questions.  Will work with you to ease concerns about shipping, etc. Will require $500 deposit via Paypal within 48 hours of auction close, with balance wire-transferred to my bank prior to shipment or pickup. Will consider bringing the car to you, depending on your location and my availability/timing.