Car Model Build
E21 Baur TC Build
For a long time, the BMW E21 (1977–83) has been the forgotten 3 Series of the lineage. This inaugural generation of BMW’s sport sedan goes overlooked compared to the legendary 2002 that preceded it and the popular E30-generation 3 Series that came after. Conceived during the fuel crisis, and designed to be a family car in the US market, the E21 seems almost doomed from the start. Journalists and BMW enthusiasts seemed to hate the E21 upon its release. Though, they likely would have hated anything that replaced the legendary 2002.
However, it is an attractive car with its signature wrap-around hood, and holds a lot of potential for those who like to tinker. However, the best the United States market got was a 320is, released in 1977. Despite its relatively slow four-cylinder M10 engine, the US models came with Recaro seats, an upgraded suspension, and mesh BBS wheels. The absolute pinnacle of the E21 range was the European version, the much lauded 323i. The E21 323i had a very elegant dual exhaust, which largely explained why you were getting passed by what otherwise seemed like a family car.
The E21 is seems to be the beginning of those should-a and could-a BMW stories. The E21 begged for both a convertible and station-wagon model, both of which were the craze in the US, but which were discouraged by the annoying safety political hack, Ralph Nader. Instead, BMW contracted Baur to create a partial convertible, which, again, never came to the United States. Baur Karosserie is in Stuttgart, Germany, and has been building BMW convertibles since the 1930s. They enjoy an excellent reputation for quality and do prototype work for many manufacturers such as Porsche, Audi and Ford.
The Baur family received a patent for the design of a folding top for luxury automobiles which it incorporated into the BMWs, starting with the BMW 1600. In 1971 they began production of the safer “Targa-style” body with the 2002. Targa was a registered Porsche name, so they named these variations the “TC.” The E21 3 Series TC1 was built with full factory authorization, and covered under the factory warranty. The “Top Cabrio” (TC) continued with the E30 TC2 even after Baur developed the BMW E30 Convertible design for BMW, and which BMW built.
These Baur variants remain a rare sight in the United States. They are unique and perfectly in line with the rarity and uniqueness Samaan Coachworks seeks to create. Samaan Coachworks seeks to make these car builds a lasting expression of my design skills. I believe this is now called a “Restomod.” What is a Restomod?
“The restomod is a relatively recent phenomenon in the collector-car world. As a counterpoint to the “survivor” craze, these new cars mix old and new technology to create the best of both worlds, matching classic styling with modern comfort, performance and reliability.”
Samaan Coachworks seeks to go the full distance and complete a performance and stylish car from these empty husks. If I am going to spend all this time and money, then I want MY SIGNATURE designs on these racers…. not someone else’s! Alpina and Hartge parts are way too expensive anyways.
THE SAMAAN COACHWORKS E21 WILL HAVE:
- 2.8L M20 engine block.
- Ported 323i cylinder head with upgraded springs.
- Samaan Coachworks IDF Manifolds
- Triple IDF Weber Carburetors.
- Samaan Coachworks custom valve cover.
- Samaan Coachworks custom timing belt cover.
- Bavarian headers.
- Limited Slip 3.91 Differential.
- Samaan Coachworks billet aluminum wheels.
- Samaan Coachworks front and rear bumper replacement skirts
- Samaan Coachworks hood (allowance for IDF trumpets)
- Samaan Coachworks sports seats.
- Eibach – Bilstein Suspension upgrades.
- Samaan Coachworks styled trunk walls and spare tire covers.
E30 Baur TC2 Build
The BMW E30 is the second generation of BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1982 to 1994 and replaced the E21 3 Series. It was powered by four-cylinder petrol, six-cylinder petrol and six-cylinder diesel engines, the latter a first for the 3 Series. The E30 continued BMWs tradition of should-a and could-a BMW stories. It begged for both a convertible and station-wagon model, both of which were the craze in the US at the time.
BMW again went to Baur to create a partial convertible, which, again, never came to the United States. Targa was a registered Porsche name, so they named these variations the “TC.” The “Top Cabrio” (TC) variation for the E30 was deemed the TC2. It is not until later revisions of the E30 that BMW offered a full convertible. However, the first years of the E30 American models were plagued by the same deficiencies that the E21 model was: Unsightly large bumpers, lack of Euro-model styling, and slow economy M10 and M20 engines. Even the sportier 325is had the trademark “diving-board” bumpers, while in Europe they had sleek chrome bumpers or complete bumper replacement kits from M-Tech, Alpina, Zender and Hartge.
The Baur variants remain a rare sight in the United States. They are unique and perfectly in line with the rarity and uniqueness Samaan Coachworks seeks to create. Samaan Coachworks seeks to make these car builds a lasting expression of my design skills. I believe this is now called a “Restomod.” What is a Restomod?
“The restomod is a relatively recent phenomenon in the collector-car world. As a counterpoint to the “survivor” craze, these new cars mix old and new technology to create the best of both worlds, matching classic styling with modern comfort, performance and reliability.”
Samaan Coachworks seeks to go the full distance and complete a performance and stylish car from these empty husks. If I am going to spend all this time and money, then I want MY SIGNATURE designs on these racers…. not someone else’s! Alpina and Hartge parts are way too expensive anyways.
THE SAMAAN COACHWORKS E21 WILL HAVE:
- 3.0L M20 engine block.
- Samaan Coachworks custom pistons.
- 885 – 325is cylinder head with upgraded springs.
- Samaan Coachworks IDF Manifolds.
- Triple IDF Weber Carburetors.
- Samaan Coachworks custom valve cover.
- Samaan Coachworks custom timing belt cover.
- Hartge headers.
- Limited Slip 3.91 Differential.
- Samaan Coachworks billet aluminum wheels.
- Samaan Coachworks front and rear bumper replacement skirts.
- Samaan Coachworks hood (allowance for IDF trumpets)
- Samaan Coachworks sports seats.
- Eibach – Bilstein Suspension upgrades.
- Samaan Coachworks styled trunk walls and spare tire covers.
E36 Compact Ti Build
Launched in 1994, the E36 3 Series Compact, was BMW’s first hatchback since the 2002 Touring model. From the front bumper to the A-pillar, the E36/5 is identical to the E36 saloon. The Ti, like the other E21 and E30 Baur TC’s here at Samaan Coachworks, also came with an interesting roof option. No full convertible was ever made available, but just like with the E30 and E21, an interesting compromise was: The E36 Compact came with a moon roof!!
However, the BMW trend continued: As usual, BMW kept the best versions of this model at home in Germany. BMW didn’t offer their M52 straight-six engine in the Compact. The fastest Compact you could buy in the United States was the 318ti, which, again, came with an economy four-cylinder engine, and worse, not very convincing styling or aerodynamics.
Starting to see a pattern??? Yes, Samaan Coachworks gravitates around those BMWs that could-a and should-a been better. Yes, Samaan Coachworks gravitates around those BMWs that got better versions in Germany than in the United States. Most importantly, Samaan Coachworks seeks to go the full distance and complete a performance and stylish car from these empty husks. After all, if I am going to spend all this time and money, then I want MY SIGNATURE designs on these racers…. not someone else’s! Alpina and Hartge parts are way too expensive anyways. For that price, I may as well make these car builds a lasting expression of my design skills.
