635CSI Observer Coupe

[Jdesign]

Doing a parts search for my E24 I came across this little article about the 635CSI Observer coupe. Neat idea that I thought I would share with you guys.

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/tuner-tuesday-1982-bmw-observer-coupe/

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/09/original-bmw-m3-1982-bmw-635csi-observer-coupe/#more-1402522

[B C]

I like obscure rare edition cars. There are tons in the VW world. Thanks for sharing this one!

[m42b32]

I want to love it, but I can't unsee my old hooptie Saab every time I look at it. Partly because of the two tone, but mostly that rear roof-line...

[straight6pwr]

thanks for sharing, I've never seen this before. diggin those wheels. 

articles about a special edition car who's interesting feature is sliding glass panels....then no photos or information on said cool feature.  journalists...

[Jdesign]

straight6pwr said:

thanks for sharing, I've never seen this before. diggin those wheels. 

articles about a special edition car who's interesting feature is sliding glass panels....then no photos or information on said cool feature.  journalists...

I noticed the same thing. I was looking for a good shot of it and there are almost none!! this is the best angle I found:

m42b32 said:

I want to love it, but I can't unsee my old hooptie Saab every time I look at it. Partly because of the two tone, but mostly that rear roof-line...

Now I see it too!! But I think the three spoke style wheels, two tone, and roof line combined are giving me that vision.

[m42b32]

Jdesign said:

I really hope that pattern is frosted into the roof glass. That would be so 80's

[Jdesign]

I think it is.. IDK no one has pictures of the damn thing LOL

[Jdesign]

WOAHHHHHH... LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj4WItCKxrM

[Jdesign]

Right around the 8min mark they show the roof retracting into the trunk 

[The Full Banana]

All I see is fox body mustang

[m42b32]

Jdesign said:

WOAHHHHHH... LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj4WItCKxrM

This was filmed before sawzall's were a thing, we have it so good now haha. Watching them hack up the car with hand tools was pretty funny

[YoungCR]

I had forgot about these! Read about them somewhere way back when my brother Ben had a 633csi.

[straight6pwr]

that is a terrible concept, but executed well. why couldn't the all-glass roof just slide in front of the rear window?

[Jdesign]

straight6pwr said:

that is a terrible concept, but executed well. why couldn't the all-glass roof just slide in front of the rear window?

Because flexible glass wasn't invented yet...

[straight6pwr]

Jdesign said:

Because flexible glass wasn't invented yet...

same type of track system, but the panel could just slide down parallel to the rear window. doesn't need to go in the trunk since its not obstructing the view. could have avoided the saab ass syndrome.

what i was expecting before i saw the video is that both the roof panel and the rear window slid into the trunk, making a baur-like open roof.

[m42b32]

straight6pwr said:

same type of track system, but the panel could just slide down parallel to the rear window. doesn't need to go in the trunk since its not obstructing the view. could have avoided the saab ass syndrome.

what i was expecting before i saw the video is that both the roof panel and the rear window slid into the trunk, making a baur-like open roof.

I thought the same thing. I didn't realize they totally re-engineered the roof to add 6 inches to the sunroof. Still a neat car though

[Jdesign]

I also thought the same thing. Its neat, but also dumb. I just like it because its weird. It was an era where company's were trying all sorts of weird roof conversions and such to keep up with the growing convertible market.

[B C]

be better if it was slicktop

[AlpineE30]

m42b32 said:

I want to love it, but I can't unsee my old hooptie Saab every time I look at it. Partly because of the two tone, but mostly that rear roof-line...

I thought the exact same thing!

[Bassboy3313]

m42b32 said:

I want to love it, but I can't unsee my old hooptie Saab every time I look at it. Partly because of the two tone, but mostly that rear roof-line...

Older saabs are still one of my favorites. I had a 900 turbo and that thing was awesome!!!