Model: 1980 528i
Color: Alpine White
Interior: Red Leather
Manual transmission; 5 speed
Milage: 93,000
Henry writes:
1980 528i
Alpine White / Red leather
93k / 5 speed
My first e12 experience ( and BMW too ) was when a friend let me borrow his 1980 528i in 1986. The drive and feel were distinctive ... and I was hooked, but I would have to wait until 2006 to find and buy my own e12. I found it in Bend,Oregon ... 60k original miles ... flew out to pick it up ... and drove it cross country to bring her home. The car had spent time in Boston and I went to great lengths to leave the Beacon Hill parking permit intact.
When I got back to Athens,GA I began the slow and steady process of cleaning and performing updates. The original carpet was removed and given a bath, and the first rinse looked like weak coffee. The low mileage leather interior was in great shape and only need a clean and refresh with Leatherique. Other mods included lowering ( Suspension Techniques ) ; Bilstein's; analog clock ; NOS rear deck ( from local BMW dealership ... they were fabulous in regard to obtaining parts ); Davis custom aluminum radiator ( no over-heating !! ) ;euro bumpers ( NOS ); and of course staggered Alpina's ( with custom bushing for stock BMW cap / and solid stainless lug bolts ).
The car has been my daily driver for the last five years and been a dream on road trips to Savannah and Pennsylvania and all points in between.
Credits :
Randle Roberts : He lent me his e12 in '86
Athens BMW ( John Wilson and Bobby Shinholser) great Parts Dept.
Rick Holzer : Euro conversion Guru / best body guy around
KellyAnn : My wife / tolerates my cars / best road trip companion
Henry Parker
Athens,GA
