All images are from the brochure collection of Mark J. McCourt
Yes, it’s everyone’s favorite classic Yuppie dreamboat- the first-generation BMW 325i Convertible!
This car represented the first in-house-built BMW convertible in decades, the previous Neue Klasse and first-generation (1977-1982) 3-series convertibles and Topcabriolets having been converted by Baur, a Stuttgart firm whose relationship with BMW dated back to the 326 two-seater of 1937.
Baur offered Topcabriolet conversions of the second-generation 3-series from 1982, and this safety-minded “four-in-one” (fully closed, front roof section off, Landaulet rear section down, fully open) variant was offered through 1986- 1,657 were built.
BMW debuted their own, factory-built, fully-open 3-series Convertible for 1986, and this model’s aesthetic appeal was undeniable, with its clean lines and fully disappearing fabric roof.
Americans got their first official taste of topless 3-series motoring in the 1987 325i Convertible, which joined the two- and four-door sedans that were flying out of dealer showrooms. It shared its 2.5-liter, 168-hp straight-six with other 325i variants, and while Europeans would soon receive a Cabriolet version of the “E30″-generation M3, we were not so gifted. Nonetheless, the 325i Convertible was a popular seller that actually outlived its E30 brethren, remaining on sale until the next-generation “E36″ 325i Convertible bowed for 1994 and reaching an impressive 85,246 units.
This 20-page brochure represents the U.S. model’s sophmore year. Please excuse the size limitations of our scanner, and click to enlarge.
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