- Seller: Mitchell G (Contact)
- Location: Ottsville, Pennsylvania
- Mileage: 100,884 Shown
- Chassis #: 5490467
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1.8-Liter Inline-4
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
Before the 3-Series became BMW’s best-known sport sedan, the E21 helped establish the formula. Compact proportions, rear-wheel drive, tidy styling, and a manual transmission made the early 320i an engaging alternative to the larger, softer cars of the era. This 1979 BMW 320i has reportedly been garage-kept its entire life and has been off the road for more than two decades, making it an interesting project for someone who appreciates the early 3-Series’ simplicity. Located in Ottsville, Pennsylvania, it is offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive with an asking price of $5,000 or best offer.
Power comes from a fuel-injected 1.8-liter inline-four paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 100,884 miles, and the car is currently listed as not running. According to the seller, the BMW was last on the road 22 years ago, so the next owner should plan on going through all the major systems before it will be ready for regular use.
The seller describes the car as a garage find and it has clearly been sitting for a long time. Photos show that the car is largely complete with the classic quad-headlight front end, factory-style wheels, and a clean overall profile. The body is described as clean and solid, though prospective buyers should inspect the floors, rockers, rear shock towers, and trunk carefully, as these are important areas on older BMWs. You’ll also want to take a closer look at the passenger door to see what is going on below the trim line.
One notable missing piece is the driver-side rear side window, which will need to be replaced. Otherwise, the car appears complete. The photos show the engine bay, interior, underside, and exterior, giving buyers a better sense of the car’s current condition.
Inside, the cabin shows age and debris from its time in storage, but retains its basic factory layout. The front and rear seats, door panels, steering wheel, pedals, and dashboard appear present, making this a reasonable starting point for a driver-quality revival rather than a stripped parts car.
This 1979 BMW 320i might not appeal to someone looking for a ready-to-go classic, but it could be a rewarding project for an enthusiast who wants to sort and preserve an early 3-Series. Given what 2002s and E30-generation 3-series are going for these days, E21S seem like a bargain that blends the positive traits of both its predecessor and successor. With a clean title, manual gearbox, and long-term indoor storage history, it has the right ingredients to be a great find. For someone looking for a vintage BMW project that predates the E30 era, this E21 deserves a closer look.
Looks like a non-A/C car…
Five Gs!!!!!???
Looks like it was just pulled out of a swamp.
My son rescued a 335 of the same vintage. An abandoned project. He is the same age as the car. After a few months of on and off trouble shooting it is a now a daily driver. The main comment from him is that while the car is satisfying and fun to drive, mixing it up on the highway with all the newer vehicles which are twice as large feels almost reckless. Just the tires on these things seem as big as the BMW.
You certainly are correct about vehicle size, I think they should just sell semi tractors with hatchbacks and save everyone a lot of upgrading. It really is obscene, and frankly dangerous as there are no license restrictions linked with piloting one of those behemoths. Far too many drivers of such monsters aren’t suited for even a soapbox derby car!
While working at a BMW store. One of these was traded in on a newer E30. The engine was very tired, but the body, interior and the rest of the car was perfect. PLUS, it had 3 piece Compognello (spelling.) gold centered wheels. I was able to buy it cheap and had originally planned on a hot BMW engine. But the supply was thin at the time for (meaning pricing was too high for this Dad with a new baby boy) So I rebuilt and souped up (cam, headers, alot of head and intake work) a 2.8 Cologne V6 and mated a T5 transmission out of an SVO Mustang. While in this process an Alpina edition E21 showed up at the local junk yard. So I relieved it of its sway bars, Bilstein shocks and it’s limited slip rear diff. It turned out to be a very fun and satisfying car that I drove for 3 years until I needed more power. I then swapped in a 5.0 Ford V8. And drove that fir a year before some guy guy offered me a pile of cash that I couldn’t turn down. That same 2.8 and 5 speed is now in my MGB. I miss that car every now and then.
Fair / Driver Condition: $4,200 – $7,000. These cars run and drive, but have rust, paint issues, or need interior work.
No,no, no. Especially not at $5K….good grief! I was a long-time BMW guy. Bought one of these, US specs, in London in ’79, for factory delivery (which was neat but not the over-the-top experience that factory delivery has become). After so many 2002’s and 2002tii’s and 2002ti….and even the 2000CS’s that I had, this was such a disappointment. Kept it about a year. It was just lacking in essential BMW-ness.
I recall the 79 was a 2.0 liter, not a 1.8? It had a terrible thermal reactor/afterburner on the exhaust system, rather than a catalyst, which allowed use of leaded gas. It was a terrible system. When I got back to the States, a national 55 MPH speed limit didn’t help.
I hear that the 323i, which we couldn’t get, was a proper heir to the 2002.
I like the “Otto’s BMW” dealer sticker on the back. In the 1970’s Otto’s had a little podunk dealership on a tidal creek in Eddystone, Pa., just next to the old Baldwin Locomotive Works. There was also a place there, if memory serves, that sold outboard motors. BMW 2002 we’re parked on the dirt lot a bit akimbo, and stickered with the insanely expensive price of I believe 6 thousand bucks. I left the area in 1984 and at that time Otto’s had relocated to the wealthier burbs with a building that could compete with the corporate, “4 cylinder building” in Germany. Amazing how the marque gained popularity, and sad they offer such true junk now. BMW’s after the early 2000 and 1800 series, we’re far from perfect, but they were unique and offered a driving experience with personality, They had a fair amount of soul when you could buy one down by the creek! I would not mind having this to wrench on, but I would be interested in what the seller gave for it to weigh the profit in the flip. I have gotten a bit tired of all the transverse FWD cars, even though I liked my Golfs and my current Fiat 500. Guess I am just getting nostalgic for simpler times! I just hit 70, so, you know how it goes.
I’ve owned ten of these over the years. Eight of them were 320’s, and two 323’s. I currently have a 1982 323i Baur in the garage. These are fun little cars to drive, super dependable. The first one I owned I put over a million miles on it. About the only thing that goes wrong with them is the hazard light switch and when you see brake fluid dripping on your shoes the slave cylinder needs to be replaced. I prefer the models made after 1980. The climate control levers seem to work a lot better.