This 1977 BMW 528i (chassis 5370295) rolled off the assembly line as a three-pedal European market car, but has since been restored and fitted with an M90 straight-six mated to a Getrag 5-speed out of an M635CSi. Referred to as a 535i by the seller, the car also runs A/C and a limited slip differential, and overall cosmetics are quite nice–we dig the Topaz-Brown Metallic exterior and tan leather Recaros, though we’d probably try to source a more era-appropriate set of wheels. Still, all in all this one looks like it could be a lot of fun. Find it here on Craigslist in Rose City, Texas for $17,500.

Topaz-Brown Metallic was among a wide array of factory available colors for BMW’s of this era, and it suits the E12 chassis well. Finish looks like it was resprayed as part of restoration, the results of which look excellent in photos. Mirrors have been color-matched, but European exterior trim appears to remain intact and in nice shape. The sunroof is operated via a manual crank, and an external oil cooler has been added beneath the front bumper. Wheels are a 17″ set of Rondells which appear just a bit too large for the body.

A 535i model designation has been added to the rear end, while twin exhaust pipes are also visible.

The cabin looks good, with a seemingly crack-free dash and very nice palomino leather upholstery. Carpeting is billed as original and also looks nice, and foot wells are lined by a set of form-fit floor mats with leather piping. Front seats are by Recaro, and a Kenwood stereo is listed along with a four-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel. Although the shift knob itself is made of wood, an M shift pattern badge has been affixed to a plastic panel right in front of it. Another ad for the same vehicle mentions A/C as well.

The 3.5-liter M90 looks good in the engine bay, and the large individual runners of the early M30 intake manifold are a cool sight. The M30 engine line maxed out at 3.2 liters when this car was manufactured, and it would be another decade or so before the M30B35 was put into full-scale production.

The engine and drivetrain fitted here were reportedly sourced from a 1980 M635CSi, and the M90 uses the block and bore spacing of the M88 racing engine, but with a SOHC 12-valve head of the standard M30 for output of 215 HP at 5200 RPM and 224 lb. ft. of torque at 4000. Bosch LE-Jetronic is mentioned, but some versions of these engines used the more advanced Bosch Motronic system instead. Most everything within the engine bay looks pretty fresh, and suspension uses Bilstein dampers.