A 1977 BMW 320i, remarkably preserved with just 9,000 miles on the odometer, recently went to auction but failed to find a new owner.
Bidding on the Bring a Trailer auction climbed to $20,000, yet it still fell short of the seller's reserve, leaving the car unsold.
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This E21-generation 3-Series spent over four decades with its original owner, Dr. Warren Valencia, until his passing in 2020.
The current owner acquired it in 2024 and had it serviced before the sale.
Finished in the striking Fjord Metallic paint, the car sits on its original 13-inch turbine-spoke alloy wheels, now wrapped in Kumho Solus tires.
Inside, the Recaro sports seats show minimal wear, a testament to careful storage over the years.
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Under the hood is the original 2.0-liter M10 four-cylinder engine, producing 110 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque, paired with a four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential.
According to the original window sticker, this 320i sold new in 1977 for $9,620, which equates to roughly $53,000 in today's money—close to the starting price of a new BMW 330i xDrive Sedan.
BMW produced over 1.3 million E21-generation 3-Series cars, but finding one in this condition in the US is rare.
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Despite the strong bidding, the reserve wasn't met, so this time capsule remains available for the right buyer.
