That's only three times: dream convertible based on the legendary BMW E9 Coupé
Open cars, that is convertibles, radiate a special fascination. Even more than their close relatives, they stand for fun and enjoyment - in short, for the finer things in life. If the sky-wide headroom is then still provided by a particularly rare model, the driver has sun in the heart and a grin on the face. Like Marco Pfotenhauer, who owns the E9 Convertible presented here. Text: Bernd Bartels. Photos: Frank Schwichtenberg.
Open to true beauty /
#BMW-E9-Convertible /
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#BMW-E9-Convertible-M88 /
#BMW-E9-Cabrio /
#BMW-M88 /
#M88/3 /
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#BMW-E9-M88
The nameplate warns: This BMW has a lot of fuss under the hood! M-Power in classic dress.
In 2000, the paths of Marco and the E9 convertible crossed for the first time. "He was on Sima-Power's website, and it was love at first sight," recalls the entrepreneur. He had already caught the BMW virus as a child with an uncle. He was a car dealer and liked to ride cool E9 coupes ... 30 years later, the above advertisement was online: E9 Convertible in the dream combination "Amazonas-Green" with beige leather and two-tone BBS "RS" wheels. The catch: Marco had just bought his first house, and it was offspring on the march. In such a situation, it is difficult to argue for the purchase of a not very cheap "fun car". Reason won, and the car was sold elsewhere.
Anyone who flatly refuses convertible conversions is taught otherwise by this E9.
Tacho up to 300 - has in Marcos E9 convertible quite his legitimate. The extremely good quality of the conversion continues seamlessly in the interior.
Twelve years later, the same car was suddenly up for sale. Markus' company had developed very well in the meantime, so that finally the time had come to strike. "The negotiations with the seller were fair, and we quickly agreed," says Marco. So he used the way back from a business meeting in Switzerland to stop in Munich and take the car directly at the airport on a trial basis. On its own axis, it then went home. "Once driven, it was of course impossible to resist the convertible," says its current owner.
Perfect lines - nothing works here "rebuilt". The stern is a happy ending in leather country: first-class feeling in all seats. The many chocolate sides of the E9.
This also applies to this convertible.
Very interesting is the history of this E9: Although he was in excellent condition, Sima-Power used the conversion to completely rebuild the BMW with new parts. The company was at that time as one of the first addresses for E9 coupes. All in all, three E9 convertibles were created by Sima-Power, inspired by the "Spirit" structures of A. Leuthe (Fahrzeugbau by Andy).
The convertible on these pages is the third and last E9 Cabriolet that built Sima-Power - and it has some special features. The reaching to 300 kmh speedometer disc indicates that power is here at the start. Under the hood is an M88/3 engine, which was later installed in the M635CSi E24 and also formed the motor base for the legendary M1 E26 and for the bear-strong racing coupes of the 1970s. Top performance of 465bhp - in the ProCar vehicles even 850bhp - speak a clear language. The "civilian" version in this E9 Cabriolet delivers a remarkable 286bhp, which speeds it up to 250 kmh - if you dare.
The chariot plays its charm but rather at speedy cruising over mountains and valleys. "Curve left, curve right and accelerate powerfully in between - he masters perfectly," smiles Marco. But he also knows that his BMW polarized. "For purists, he is simply unacceptable - some coupe friends see it as a sacrilege that the C-pillar was sacrificed with its distinctive logo. For the rest, it's a great design variant of the legendary coupe. "We're one of them and call out to everyone," Be open to true beauty! "
Color harmony: The beige interior fits perfectly with the paint in "Amazonian green". Gloss and Glory: Chrome-plated grills make for a particularly classy look.
FEATURE FACTS BMW E9
Engine: M88 / 3-DOHC 24V straight six, 3,453cc, 286bhp; Bore x stroke in mm: 84 x 93.4; Densification 10.5: 1;
Single throttle valves, intake manifold injection
Power transmission: five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Suspension: independent front suspension, McPherson struts,
Torsion bar stabilizers; rear semi-trailing axle,
Torsion bar stabilizers
Brakes: original disc brakes all around
Wheels:
#BBS-RS alloy wheels, two-tone, in 16 "
Tires: Michelin "Pilot Sport", all around 205/55 ZR16
Body: Convertible conversion of Sima-Power,
Painting in "
#Amazon-Green "
Interior: beige leather interior, 300 kmh speedometer, wood steering wheel
