Make: BMW
Model: 700 CS COUPE
Registration: 763 FXV
Engine Size (cc): 700
Current Speedometer Reading: 2000
Year of Manufacture: 1963
Date First Registered: 17/09/1963
Current V5: YES
Location: PICKERING
You can view from: Monday 18 November - Tuesday 26 November 2024

Current V5 present. Paperwork includes starting instructions and a photo album containing restoration photographs.

The vendor has provided the following:

A very rare BMW 700 Coupe, according to factory records, was built in 1961. Prohibitive Import duties meant that it was only first registered in the UK in 1963. There were only about 100 right-hand drive Coupes imported to the UK, and this is one of the first batches of between 10 and 20.

When introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1959, they were lightweight, and with an air-cooled engine in the rear, independent rear, and Dubonnet independent suspension at the front, quickly became the early 60's club racer in Germany. In standard twin carb form, they produced about 42 BHP and weighed about 550 kg - giving performance comparable to a Cooper S. (allegedly the factory could supply 'Racing' engines of up to 75 bhp!)

As with all of the lightweight cars of the period, it suffered from corrosion and this car was found in pieces in 2010, having been open barn stored for about 30 years. The car underwent a complete bare metal restoration, with a complete 'made from scratch' replica floors, sills, rear panel, front panel, new bonnet, BMW Heritage Wings, etc. Very few panels escaped the need for extensive repair. This is all documented in the Photo Album which was prepared for the car's appearance at the NEC Classic Car Show in 2014. The original shell was soda blasted and there is no rust anywhere on the restored car.

Mechanically, everything has been completely rebuilt to the highest standards. It has new std high compression 'Sports' pistons, crankshaft, bearings, seals, the correct 'Sports' camshaft, tuned head with new valves, and oil cooler. An Arbarth replica exhaust. Currently fitted with a modern fuel injection/ignition system and pulls strongly. The engine is matched to the correct factory 'Sports' Close Ration gearbox with the correct short-shift Sports gear lever. To finish the car off it sits on a set of rare aftermarket 13" Cromodoro 4 1/2 J Magnesium wheels. The car also benefits from custom CV drive shafts (using Golf/Polo CVs). The interior was completely re-trimmed with leather, new carpets were made, and a new headlining was made and fitted.

In total, it took almost 4 years to restore the car to its present form in BMW Atacama Yellow with a Cream roof. Amongst many custom parts, it has a replica factory rev counter and custom-made aluminium dash parts replacing the original unobtainable plastic ones. The photos in the album document the restoration.

The vendor has a brand new front windscreen, and a brand new set of GAZ adjustable sock absorbers which may be collected from him, together with unrestored carbs and standard ignition system parts, should the purchaser wish to revert from the fuel injection.

The car underwent a bare metal restoration in 2010 which took 3 years to complete. What new panels that could be obtained were obtained - New BMW Heritage Wing, Bonnet, Rear Panel, Lower section of the front panel, sills (inner and outer), the boot was replaced, as were the doors, the rear inner and outer wheel arches were extensively rebuilt. A completely new pattern floor was made from scratch to the exact design of the factory original. This was made from 8 separate parts, 6 of which were 'dropped pan' as per the original. Manufacturing the parts from the floor took about 6 weeks, and people wondered why I refused to make them one! If I found any rust, it was cut out and replaced or re-manufactured and replaced. The doors were the best I could find after an extensive search.

Mechanically the car was completely rebuilt with new 'everything'. The car has the later needle roller and fine hub thread Dubonet arms, which always leak slowly. New seals and dust caps were not available when the car was restored, but these components are included in the Biscuit Box in the Bonnet. The car is currently fitted with a Microsquirt fuel injection and ignition system using Honda VFR-derived throttle bodies and injectors. Software for programming is readily available and allows complete control of fuelling and ignition.

The car has the Factory Spec 'Sports' Pistons, Camshaft, Close Ration Gearbox, the correct 'Sports' gear lever, and a custom Steel U/J gear linkage coupling as opposed to the failure-prone and inaccurate rubber one. (though the UJ does chatter slightly). It has a custom CV joint conversion to the drive shafts (similar to the ones used on Lotus Elans) This uses VW Polo CV joints. The interior was completely re-trimmed from scratch in leather to the factory CS two-tone pattern. A completely new carpet set was also made and fitted. The car sits on a set of Cromodoro Magnesium wheels I managed to find in Germany.

Some consumables, workshops, Owners, and Parts Manuals are included in the cardboard box on the rear seats. Also included, but not with the car are a new, custom-made set of GAZ adjustable shock absorbers, a brand new Pilkington 'Heritage' windscreen, and a set of unrestored carburetors and linkages. These can be collected by arrangement with the vendor. (The vendor has numerous spares which are available by separate negotiation).