1982 BMW 728i
HOW LONG HAVE YOU OWNED THE CAR FOR?
It was bought on New Year’s Eve 1997 from a BMW dealer principal. It had been his main transport for about three years then laid up outside for a further two. I came across it in the corner of a bodyshop where I was having some work done to my daily driver, looking very sorry for itself with a flat tyre, covered in dust and cardboard boxes on its boot and bonnet.
I paid £1200 plus a further £1000 to have it tidied up and painted where required. There were a few minor dents and rust on the rear arches was attended to. The bottom half of the car was painted and the underbody Waxoyl-treated.
HOW MUCH HISTORY?
I have all the car’s history. It was the first 7 Series the supplying dealer sold from his then-new premises and was registered to the owner of a design studio/architects in a nearby town. He kept the car for ten years and when he traded it in the dealer principal ran the car himself for sentimental reasons.
The car was laid up in a dry garage and covered over in autumn 2005. I started to recommission the car during winter 2017. I replaced a seized fuel pump, and the brakes were also seized so the front calipers were rebuilt, the rear ones freed off and new pads, shoes and drums/ discs fitted. It has done 113,661 miles.
WHAT’S LEFT TO DO ON IT?
The car now is running well with no further work to do.
HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED?
The car is just as it was when supplied new. My insurer’s suggested value was £7500, though this is not an agreed value.