1981 BMW Baur 323i Restomod

The BMW E21, produced from June 1975 to December 1983, marked the beginning of the legendary 3 Series. It quickly became the benchmark for compact sports sedans, setting the stage for decades of BMW dominance. While the E21 was exclusively built as a two-door sedan, BMW partnered with the German coachbuilder Baur, who had been crafting BMW convertibles since the 1930s. Together, they created a distinctive and limited variant: the Baur TopCabriolet. This transformation essentially turned a hardtop E21 into a targa-style convertible with a removable roof panel and a folding rear section.

The 1981 BMW Baur 323i is a unique version of the E21 3-series. The 323i was the flagship E21 performance model following its introduction in 1977. The cabriolet body style, manufactured by Baur, was produced from 1978 to 1981. The cars were sold via the BMW dealership network and all Baur models included the BMW warranty. Today, these Baurs remain rare survivors of a unique collaboration between manufacturer and coachbuilder.

This 1981 BMW Baur 323i, however, takes a step beyond preservation. It has been thoughtfully reimagined as a restomod, modernized mechanically while still honoring its original design. This car was originally equipped with a 2.3L M20 fuel-injected six-cylinder engine, which has been replaced by a BMW M3 3.2L S52, ZF 5-speed Manual transmission, twin disc clutch, and a BMW Medium Case (188mm) limited slip differential out of a donor E36 BMW M3. The engine has been rebuilt with a custom set of forged pistons, lowering the compression ratio from 10.5:1 down to 9.0:1 for a custom turbocharged set-up. The original output of the 3.2L S52 was estimated at 240 horsepower. This custom-built turbocharged 3.2L S52 engine is estimated to produce 450 horsepower, which is almost twice the output of the original 323i.

To harness such power, the car has been fitted with custom front and rear coil-over suspension for precision handling, as well as a custom Brembo front and rear braking system to help bring this turbocharged vehicle to a stop. The body has been subtly but effectively modified with flared fenders to accommodate a custom set of BBS wheels wrapped in Michelin tires. The interior also is slated for a redesign in the near future, completing the transformation from rare survivor to one-of-a-kind performance icon.

Over the course of five years between 1978 and 1982, a total of 4,595 Baurs were produced, making them a relatively rare find. Production peaked in 1981, when a total of 1,157 cars were converted that year. A BMW Baur 323i Restomod from 1982 is also featured in this collection. As a one-off interpretation of a limited-production model, this Baur 323i Restomod is a special vehicle. With its roots in the first generation of BMW’s 3 Series, its bespoke Baur construction, and turbocharged power, it is both historically important and thrillingly modern. It stands as a uniquely reimagined car that bridges the gap between vintage BMW elegance and contemporary performance.