1973 BMW Bavaria

A 1973 BMW Bavaria showing 62,882 miles, Sahara over tan leather. The factory identification plate on the inner wing is legible in full — BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE A.G., München, Typ BMW 3.0, Fahrgestell-Nr. (chassis number) 3103896, Zulässiges Gesamtgewicht (permissible gross weight) 1,850 kg, Made in Germany — and the chassis number on it matches every document in the file. Riveted beneath it is the paint plate: Außenlackierung-BMW (BMW exterior paint) sahara. The provenance is Californian and continuous: validated registration cards from Grass Valley issued in November 1989, 1990 and 1991, with the 1990, 1991 and 1992 year stickers still attached unused, then Sunland for 2013–14, San Juan Capistrano for 2016–17 and Altadena for 2022–23 on a Californcia Legacy plate, before the car was titled in Florida in April 2023 on an antique plate. It carries its original Bavaria owner's handbook, the BMW service booklet, the period Blaupunkt radio literature and two keys. BMW sold the Bavaria only in the United States, 1971 to 1974 — the New Six at an American price, 2.8 litres for the first year and 3.0 litres thereafter. Disclosed: no service records accompany the vehicle; the engine number is not photographed in the set held, so no representation is made either way as to the engine; and the wood-rimmed wheel, wooden shift knob, alloy wheels and auxiliary driving lamps are period-style fitments rather than standard Bavaria equipment.