Baur Targa: 1983 BMW 323i

The '75-'83 BMW 3-Series Baur Targa is a strange intersection of BMW E21 handling/driving goodness with a unique convertible/targa styling...and I've gotta admit that I'm really not an expert on these wild looking things, but they guys over at Baurspotting can give you the full details of how Karosserie Baur would hack the top off a new BMW 3-series and offer a unique and safe alternative to the ragtop. Not many were built and not many remain, but they are still cheap.  Find this 1983 BMW 323i Baur Targa offered for $6,500 in Clovis, CA via craigslist.

10k: The Full Baur Targa: 1980 BMW 320 E21 Baur TC1

The Baur Targa was a Lancia Beta Zagato lookalike that featured a folding soft top in the back and a targa-style soft roof above the driver/passenger.  The result is convertible fun in the sun while retaining chassis rigidity and safety by keeping an intact B-pillar roll hoop.  The Baur Targa cars came from a time when BMW didn't offer the 3 Series in drop top and the modifications were done by Karosserie Baur when new, maintaining a factory BMW warranty.  Find this 1980 BMW 320 E21 Baur TC1 offered for $12,900 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

Scruffy Trio: BMW E30 Baur Targa, E21 Baur Targa & 2002

This next feature could be a good deal for someone looking for a project, or it could be a total waste of time from a seller who thinks he has some kind of rare artifacts for sale.  The problem is that the seller doesn't list a price, but the collection of cars certainly look cool - lets play spot the cool stuff.  Find this scruffy trio, a BMW E30 Baur Targa, E21 Baur Targa and 2002 offered for an undisclosed price somewhere in the San Fernando Valley, CA.  Tip from Einhander.

10k: Tank Top: 1982 BMW 320/6 Baur Targa

From 1978-1982 Karosserie Baur modified roughly 4500 versions of BMW's E21 3-series into a semi-topless fauxvertible.  Some describe the transformation as making the E21 resemble the villain Bane from the latest Batman movie, while others are more critical of the aesthetics.  Find this 1982 BMW 320is Baur Targa for sale in Sacramento, CA for $11,000 via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

5k: Grey Matter: 1985 BMW 323i E30 Baur Targa

The BMW E30 323i was not exported to North America, so we yanks never got the L-jetronic fuel injected M20B23 inline-6.  After 25 years of age, foreign-market cars can be legally imported into the US and this one has reportedly been through the rigorous California BAR certification process and has been 50-state legal for the past 10 years.  Find this 1985 BMW 323i Baur Targa for sale in Allentown, PA for $6,250. Tip from David K.

10k: Baur Targaroo; 1982 BMW 323i Baur Targa Convertible

We've all seen what Karosserie Baur did to countless defenseless BMW 2002s, but what we didn't know is that the heinous hack jobs continued into the '80s!  Okay, to be fair, Karosserie Baur has a long résumé of coach building, including manufacture of the Porsche 959 supercar and the Baur Targa design maintains most of the original chassis rigidity by keeping the vehicle's original roof frame intact...but the aesthetics take some getting used to.  Find this 1982 BMW E21 323i Baur Targa located in Australia for the asking price of $10,000 AUD (or $10,316 USD) via carsales.com.au.

15k: 1974 BMW 2002 Baur Targa

 The BMW 2002 produced from 1968 to 1976 was available in coupe and touring (hatchback) versions and sold quite well across the world.  It solidified BMWs reputation for building compact sports sedans and paved the way for the extremely successful 3-series - but it was never available as a convertible from the factory.  That didn't stop the hacksaw wielding maniacs at Karosserie Baur from building a targa version and this 1974 Baur Targa is offered on ebay for $15k buy-it-now in Marietta, GA.