1969 Florida 1600 Revival

[1inhiding]

Hi All,

I'd been looking around for the right car for a long time, and when this came up, I couldn't pass it up (even though I originally wanted a 2002). It's a '69 1600 in Florida with the (hopefully revivable) original block in it. The head is currently off it after a rebuild. I'm trying to get it all put back together again and get it running. I guess it's good the days are starting to shorten, I'll hopefully get some good time in the garage this fall/winter.

I picked the car up off Craigslist - the guy who sold it apparently got it from a buddy of his who runs a wrecking yard - THAT guy had been called by the previous owner to come scrap the car. He called his buddy, who has a collection of old cars (though no BMWs) and told him to come pick up the car as it was too nice to be scrapped. The PO had apparently tried to start it after it had sat for a while and some head damage occurred (hence the head rebuild).

The body is in REALLY good shape - there are only two small perforations that I found (one in the spare tire well and one near it). The chrome on the bumpers is nearly flawless. The interior is in a bit of a mess, but that's low on the priority list for me right now. I hope that I'm able to save the original block (I haven't had a chance to try cranking it via wrench). The only oddity I've found so far is that it appears to have the older style script on the back without a roundel - my understanding was that by '69 they had switched to the newer look. I confirmed with BMW AG that it was manufactured on January 30th, 1969 and delivered to Hoffman motors. Well, that and the mileage is unknown...

I did get a chance to put a fresh battery in it and test the electrical system. It seems most everything works, though the turn signal stalk is broken.

VIN is 1567808.

My goal is to get it road worthy, keep it as original as possible, and drive it till the wheels fall off. I LOVE the color!

Cheers!

[couttsdesign]

That's an amazing find....and I couldn't be more jealous!! Florida is one of my favorite colors. Good luck with your project and keep the pics coming.

[1inhiding]

Thanks! I'm excited about it. As a bonus, there was a sweet ABBA cassette in the glove box!

My first question - should this car have a center console? No console was present and someone had screwed a radio into the bottom of the dash - along with putting speakers in the door cards

[MicahDolen]

Very cool.

Looks similar to my car. Also a 1600.

I am in North Bend.

[jgerock]

Thanks!

My first question - should this car have a center console? No console was present and someone had screwed a radio into the bottom of the dash - along with putting speakers in the door cards

I believe your car should have the same short console as my '69 2002.

The interior in your car is very similar to mine.

[1inhiding]

Ha! I saw you driving eastbound on I90 at the Lakemont/West Lake Sam exit not too long ago (I live in the South Lake Sammamish area).

[1inhiding]

Thanks for the picture, jgerock, it'll be a good reference for me. Nice dash, btw!

[MicahDolen]

Its my daily driver. I am on I90 every day.

I have the short consol but I made an insert for my gauges and Diet Coke.

[jdt10768]

nice car ! they were going to crush it ??? idiots ! that is sweet

[Tommy]

THAT was going for scrap! Really glad that it was saved. Welcome.

Tommy

[hendi72]

nice! here's a look at a fresh florida color.....and it's in florida!

nice 1600, though......take care of that one....not too many around anymore!