The E21-chassis BMW 3-Series lives in a space where it’s not entirely valuable, but it also occasionally ticks the right boxes and you’ll see one sail to a surprising price in a live auction. Over the years, the market has settled down a bit after some pristine cars equipped with the factory sport package went for bonkers numbers that were absolutely not repeatable in the current environment. This 1979 320i listed here on craigslist is in an interesting spot because while it is a basic U.S.-spec example, the rare color of Golf Yellow pushes it into a category where someone who has been hunting for this color may be willing to pay the seller’s asking price of $9,000 without hesitation.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Scott for sending this in. The E21 3-Series was never a home run in the U.S., and it wasn’t just because of its unfortunate slotting between the well-loved 2002 and the eminently usable E30. The E21 when it came out was somewhat underwhelming with journalists and consumers, as the powerplant wasn’t overly powerful (a sign of the times when almost every manufacturer had to adjust plans for offering high-performance models) and the handling was often described as twitchy. The fact that U.S. cars got slapped with these ugly safety bumpers didn’t help matters, either.

The seller’s car has been modified in a few different ways, and as someone who got his start in the hobby as a BMW enthusiast, there are a few things I’d change. First of all, the E21 was perhaps best known for its optional Recaro seats, which today command a premium on the used parts marketplace. While expensive, they are not impossible to find, and would do wonders for this interior. In the same vein, the sport package E21s were equipped with a wonderful 3-spoke steering wheel that is a perfect OEM+ upgrade for a car like this. With those two items installed, the interior would look and feel completely different.

The seller is also including these factory alloy wheels, which would look fantastic on a car painted Golf Yellow. I’m not sure why the seller opted to photograph the 3-Series wearing black steel wheels, but the presentation would improve dramatically if he swapped these wheels on with a chunky set of rubber. All my unwanted feedback aside, it sounds like this 320i benefits from lots of recent maintenance, including a new clutch and clutch master, new rotors and pads, new brake lines, new springs and shocks, and new suspension bushings. The next owner would be wise to make the suggested improvements, and perhaps also swap on a set of European market bumpers and headlights to have an ideal E21 in a rare and desirable color.