Rare 1977 BMW 528 Rescued After 40 Years in Storage
Automotive journalist Jonny Smith, known for his YouTube channel The Late Brake Demonstrate, recently unearthed a remarkably well-preserved 1977 BMW 528 that had been sitting untouched in a family garage for nearly four decades. The discovery, part of Smith’s ongoing “barn identify” series, highlights the enduring appeal of classic BMWs and the stories they hold.
A Family History
The BMW 528 was originally purchased at auction in the early 1980s by the current owner’s father. The owner’s daughter, Sarah, fondly remembers riding home in the car as a child and assisting her father with “cop watch” during drives. After being parked in a garage on the family farm in the late 1980s, the car remained there following the owner’s death in the 1990s.
The E12 528: A Special Find
This isn’t just any early 5 Series. The car is an E12 generation 528, finished in silver with an M Sport bumper and graphics. While it features Alpina stickers, it is not a genuine Alpina model. The vehicle is equipped with a 2.8-liter straight-six cylinder engine, a notable upgrade as the 5 Series initially debuted with a four-cylinder option.
Challenges of Restoration
Although the car was stored in a garage, a missing window exposed it to the elements, resulting in rust and mildew. Although, the critical areas of the chassis appear to be in relatively good condition. Remarkably, three of the four original tires still held air after nearly 40 years, allowing the car to be rolled out after the brakes were freed. The engine was initially seized and will require a complete tear-down and rebuild.
A Bespoke Rescue
Smith enlisted the aid of Tony BMW, a specialist who has successfully revived several dormant BMW engines for the show. Tony utilized his custom-built “Can of Hope”—a fuel can with an integrated pump—to attempt to restart the engine.
The Significance of the E12
The E12 5 Series represents a pivotal moment in BMW’s history. It marked the brand’s transition from the “Recent Class” era to the modern BMW identity. Development of the first 5 Series began in the 1960s with wind tunnel testing, and the 1970s saw BMW’s first use of computers in vehicle design, specifically for creating crumple zones and designing rollover protection for the roof. Later models incorporated fuel injection, which ultimately led to the adoption of the lowercase “i” in BMW’s model naming convention.
A Piece of Automotive History
The successful rescue of this 1977 BMW 528 is a testament to the enduring quality of classic BMW engineering and the dedication of enthusiasts like Jonny Smith and Tony BMW. The restoration of this vehicle will not only preserve a piece of automotive history but likewise revive cherished memories for the owner and her family.