BMW 323i, a rebirth 

Koos Veerman dreamed of it: a BMW 323i, just like the silver-gray E21 that his father used to drive. The image of that car is etched in his memory, and when he could get his hands on a 1978 example, he seized the opportunity. At first glance, the car seemed neat: original appearance, luxury options, and even a folder with invoices. But when he took it on the road, it turned out that the dream quickly turned into a nightmare.  

On the way to Friesland, the rain of problems started: the engine devoured oil as if it were petrol. "I had to top it up every two hours", says Koos. Once home, the chassis almost fell off the jack. Still, he decided not to give up. This was a car with emotional value. "This BMW should not end up in boxes", was his conviction.  

No experience, but perseverance  

Koos had never restored a car before and knew little about classic BMWs. Nevertheless, he threw himself into the job with complete dedication. With the help of friends, many falls and getting up again, he started the restoration. The engine, completely written off, was removed. Koos copied from friends, read manuals and learned by doing. His approach? Step by step and critical. “If they can do it, I can do it too,” he thought.  

Rusty spots were exposed, thick layers of filler disappeared, and donor cars were stripped for original parts. “Sometimes I was able to set everything on fire,” Koos admits with a laugh. But he always found a solution, often by consulting with wrench friends or combining used and new parts.  

The BMW 323i: almost original, but better  

Koos stuck to the original look of the BMW 323i, but the technology got a big upgrade. The Bilstein/Eibach chassis provided better roadholding, and the engine was bored out to 2.7 liters, good for more than 170 hp. Original 13-inch steel rims made way for 15-inch Alpina's. "They give a lot more feeling in bends, and that's important to me," says Koos.  

However, some challenges remained. Aftermarket parts often did not fit well and forced Koos to be creative. The dashboard was replaced with a crack-free one, and old upholstery was carefully cleaned and reused. Wires in the wiring harness were measured wire by wire, while donor cars even had to give up their headliner.  

A BMW 323i saved from death  

The process was not without its frustrations. Broken camshafts, poorly fitting parts and unexpected costs brought Koos to the brink of giving up several times. But he kept going. “I wanted every screw and every weld to be perfect, even if it took days,” he explains. Even the welding – the traces of which had to remain invisible – took hours of work.  

Finally, the reward arrived: a BMW 323i that, according to Koos, is better than ever. “It looks like it did in 1978, but drives much better,” he says proudly. The car is tightly welded, professionally painted and built with a mix of original and modified parts. “I am a purist, but safety and driving pleasure come first,” he admits.  

The reward: driving pleasure  

Koos now enjoys his restored BMW to the fullest. He rides through the Eifel and the Alps with friends. Here the BMW shows what it is worth: tight roadholding, powerful acceleration, and a driving experience that, according to Koos, cannot be matched. “You feel everything: the road, the wind, and the sound of the engine. This is driving as it is meant to be,” he says enthusiastically.  

What makes it complete? “It’s the perfect balance between nostalgia and performance. This car is really alive. You feel like you become one with the machine,” he concludes.  

Want to know more about Koos' adventure with his BMW 323i? You can read the complete story, including many photos, in the December issue of Auto Motor Klassiek, now available at the kiosk!