Wanderlust

Category: European Market Finds

  • EU Market Find: 1 of 1 BMW Individual 316ti Compact in Fiji Green

    EU Market Find: 1 of 1 BMW Individual 316ti Compact in Fiji Green

    What: 1997 BMW 316ti Compact
    Color: Fiji Green (fidschigrün; non-metallic; 413; Porsche)
    Interior: Black and Yellow
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: 99,000 km / 61,515 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: € 18,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Erkner, Germany
    Private Party Listing: Link

    Why we love mention it:

    This color combination isn’t for everybody, but we suspect anyone who fully embraces automotive trends of the 1990s, particularly the quirkier German side of those trends, then we think you’ll love this car.

    The E36-generation BMW 3-Series “Compact” you see here is reportedly one-of-one. While exceptionally rare, the striking and more-saturated-than-mint-green Fiji Green paint doesn’t quite get it one-of-one status. However, that two-tone black and yellow interior likely does.

    We’ll share the car’s listing (translated to English by Google) below, and in that you’ll note the mention of its presence at the Essen Motor Show. Given this car is far from a tuner special, we’re guessing it was displayed there in period as part of a BMW brand stand. In that time period, the German manufacturers would often show up with some entirely stock but still radically built cars by their internal tailoring departments. BMW Individual appears to have had at it with this one, though curiously built in a relatively tame drivetrain configuration.

    For starters, there’s an automatic transmission. Next, the ad doesn’t confirm which motor it is by name, but the power figures suggest it’s a 316 (so drop us a note if we’re wrong on that one). Whatever, it’s still a very interesting car that’s been owned by the same owner since 2000. For the BMW collector who has everything, we’re guessing they don’t have one of these.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

    BEGIN TRANSLATED LISTING TEXT:

    This vehicle has been in our possession since 11/2000, and there have been plenty of documents since then.
    As well as all keys

    The vehicle is professionally polished and ceramic sealed.
    Original paint documented

    The vehicle was last exhibited at the Essen Motor Show.

    Connoisseurs know what this is.
    In very excellent condition.

    Proven to have been parked in the garage since 11/2000.

    In summer 2024, the original chassis was replaced by a Bilstein B6 with new standard springs, including strut mounts and coupling rods.

    09/24 air conditioning service, ~150g filled, full at over 800g filling weight

    Private sale, no emergency sale, happy to go to collectors or enthusiasts.

    The vehicle was actually invited to the 50th anniversary of the BMW 3 Series event at Lake Como in 2025, but I cannot attend due to a private appointment.

  • EU Market Find: Prugnia Metallic Ferrari 412

    EU Market Find: Prugnia Metallic Ferrari 412

    What: 1987 Ferrari 412
    Color: Prugnia / Prugna (prugnametallise; metallic uni; 306; Ferrari)
    Chassis: Unknown
    Mileage: 71,202 km / 44,242 mi
    Price: €69,900
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Time 2 Drive, Wavre, Belgium
    Sales listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    If you’re into quirky Ferraris, they don’t get much more quirky than Ferrari’s 412 grand touring coupe. Now throw in full leather light beige interior, an automatic gearbox and purple metallic paint and you have a seriously unique build.

    The color isn’t just rare, it’s also perhaps up for debate… at least its translation. The dealer has it listed as “prugnia”, Italian for plum. It appears the better known name as found in our research is “prugna”, with no “i” and translating to prune. We’re going to lean towards plum, that sounds enticing whereas prune is decidedly less attractive we’d guess. In that, we’re siding with the dealer’s take on the color name.

    Notably, it’s a slush box, which makes it less desirable but also makes it more affordable. It’s also in remarkably good condition. It’s also got a sun visor signed by its designer Leonardo Fiorvanti, a neat detail. It was also chosen by Ferrari Belgium to be part of the Ferrari 70 Years display at Autoworld in Brussels.

    Here’s what the dealer shares in the listing (linked above).

    • German car delivered new by Auto Becker in Dusseldorf on 19th february 1987, then send to Zwitserland and, by the end, imported to Belgium by the actual owner of the car in 2013.
    • This car is regularly driven by the owner to go on vacation or during touristic rallye’s.
    • The owner had the opportunity to meet personnaly the designer of the 412, Mister Leonardo Fioravanti and he decided to sign the car on the sun visor (see picture)
    • This car was also selected by Ferrari Belgium for display on the Expo “Ferrari 70 years” in the museum Autoworld in Brussels
    • Officina Valenti, the well-known Ferrari specialist take care of it since 2013
    • Regularly maintenance
    • Replacement of belts and power steering pump
    • Replacement both fuel pumps
    • Replacement of exausts
    • Replacement of 12 injectors and revision of the K-Jetronics systems
    • ……..
    • Mechanically, the car drives perfectly
    • New paint in the original color a few years ago
    • The pneumatic suspension is working perfectly
    • Will be delivered with original books
    • Belgian registration
    • Time2Drive is mandated by the owner for the sale of this car
    • Visit only on appointment in Wavre (Belgium)
  • EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Turbo-Look 911 C2 Cabriolet with Leather to Sample

    EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche Turbo-Look 911 C2 Cabriolet with Leather to Sample

    What: 1992 Porsche 911 C2 Cabriolet
    Color: Porsche Midnight Blue Metallic (nachtblau; metallic uni; 37W / 39C / E9; Porsche)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 161,589 kilometers
    Price: €114,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Movendi, Dusseldorf, Germany
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    We’re big fans of the road less traveled here, that’s not exactly a secret. This Tailored Driver is exactly that- finished in Porsche’s Midnight Blue Metallic (rare), with 1992’s 911 C2 Cab Rest-of-World only Turbo Look body optioned (more rare) Leather to Sample in an unknown light blue (incredibly rare). Per the listing this Tailored Driver is one of just 1,532 C2s optioned with the factory widebody, and has spent the entirety of it’s life in Germany. Being a 1992 model year example, importation to the US should be a breeze using a reputable vendor like Orchid Euro.

  • EU Market Find: Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II Bianco Perlato

    EU Market Find: Lancia Delta Integrale Evo II Bianco Perlato

    What: 1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Bianco Perlato
    Color: Bianco Perla (biancoperla; metallic uni; 271; Lancia)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 51,000 km, 31,689 miles
    Price: €150,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Private Party Sale, Taranto, Italy
    Sales listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    The Delta Integrale holds a special place in the hearts of auto enthusiasts as a rally homologation special. By mainstream measure, a 5-door hatchback is not the expected stuff of legends, but consider the hardware and engineering that goes into making such an economy car into a rally legend with six-consecutive WRC championships from 1987-1992 and the logic begins to make sense. Also… box flares.

    Seriously though, despite a less-than-optimum driving and steering wheel position, the Lancia Delta Integrale has built a cult-like following for these rally-bred reasons. Top of the heap is the Delta Integrale Evoluzione II. Now throw in limited edition with series production of just 365 and the collectibility factor grows even more.

    Over its time in production, Lancia built several special edition models – Martini 6, Verde York, Blu Lagos, Giallo Ginestra and, finally, the Bianco Perlato you see here. Painted Bianco Perla (pearl white) over dark blue leather, it is a color combination dripping in 1990s fashion.

  • EU Market Find: 1996 BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic 320i Convertible

    EU Market Find: 1996 BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic 320i Convertible

    What: 1996 BMW 320i Convertible
    Color: BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic (madeiraviolett; metallic uni; 302; BMW)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 172,000 kilometers
    Price: €11,690
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Dessau-Roßlau, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
    Sales listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Differing ever so slightly from BMW’s Techno Violet, BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic is a visually stunning purple that can really play visual tricks depending on conditions. In some lighting, it almost appears to be BMW’s Cosmos Black due to the color’s blue and purple metallic flake. Whatever your interpretation of it, this BMW Individual Madeira Violet Metallic E36 ‘vert is the latest in European Market Finds that we feel represents good value for money, offering a way for the everyman or woman to dip their toe into the world of Tailored Driver. With the right importer like Orchid Euro, this could be landed, plated, and insured for well under $20,000.

  • EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo in Mint Green

    EU Market Find: 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo in Mint Green

    What: 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3
    Color: Mint Green (mintgrün; non-metallic UNI; 22R; Porsche)
    VIN: WP0ZZZ96ZNS470XXX
    Mileage: 309 km / 192 miles
    Price: Upon Request
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Dipl. Wirt.-Ing. Manfred Hering, EARLY 911S e. K., Wuppertal, Germany
    Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    We’re hitting a theme this week of cars that have experienced color changes, and this one may be the most interesting yet. Get past the fact that it seems like you rarely if ever see a 964-generation 911 Turbo in Mint Green (much less one with less than 200 miles on the odometer), because that’s just the beginning of the story. You see, this car left the factory painted Paint to Sample Gulf Orange (gulforange; 019; non-metallic UNI; Porsche) with black interior.

    According to the ad, the car received a full restoration presumably with color change by the massive classic Porsche dealer in Germany where it is currently for sale. They also have a comprehensive list of options. And while we suspect most all of it came on the car from the factory, the mention of a Mint Green shift knob and the sight of the mint green Porsche Tequipment steering wheel do make us wonder if those were fitted in the (Gulf Orange) car from new, or added when the car switched to Mint Green.

    The list of equipment is as follows:

    139 Heated seats, left seat
    220 limited slip differential 40%
    231 Michelin tires
    288 headlight cleaning system
    327 Radio “Symphony RDS”
    340 heated seats, right seat
    403 cup cast wheel, 17 inch
    423 cassettes and coin containers
    425 rear window wiper
    437 Comfort seat on the left, electrically adjustable
    438 comfort seat right, electrically adjustable
    441 Radio preparation
    481 manual transmission
    488 Inscription German
    490 sound package
    494 additional amplifiers
    499 version for the Federal Republic of Germany
    562 Airbag driver and passenger side
    573 air conditioning
    605 headlight range adjustment
    650 Electric sunroof
    659 on-board computer
    685 Split rear seats
    930 rear seat covers, leather
    975 trunk lining with velor carpet
    981 leather interior without seat covers
    983 front seat covers, leather
    X33 engine performance increase 911 Turbo
    XK7 shiftgearknob mintgreen
    XU1 Remote control central locking

    Whatever the case, this is an incredibly unique car in an incredibly unique and period correct color. Mint Green had just been introduced at the time as one of the Carrera Cup colors. While uncommon in general, it was most common in the 964-era 911 Carrera RS, and occasionally seen on other period cars like 911 Cabriolets and the occasional 968.

  • EU Market Find: 1992 Mercedes 190 E Avantgarde azzurro

    EU Market Find: 1992 Mercedes 190 E Avantgarde azzurro

    What: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3 Sportline Avantgarde azzurro
    Color: Azzurro Blue (azzurroblau; metallic UNI; 366; Mercedes-Benz)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 130,100 km / 80,840 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: €15,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Private Seller, Münich, Germany
    Listing: Link

    Why We Love It:

    One of several cars built in Mercedes-Benz Avantgarde series of W201 190 Es, the 190 E Avantgarde Azzurro is a unique thing indeed. With DTM-harkening 190 EVOs making anything W201 even more interesting, the azzurro and all its 90s German kitsch offer a more unique approach to the package.

    Perhaps inspired by other market offerings such as the Volkswagen Color Concept cars, or Wolfsburg’s even more radically quirky Harlequin models, the Avantgardes utilized color in order to dial up the fun factor of a then aging W201 range.

    The most notable differences on the Avantgarde azzurro is the use of color. For starters, its Azzurro Blue metallic paint was unique to the Avantgarde offering. Then, much like the Harlequin, it artfully incorporated multiple colors in trim on the seats, big-bolstered rear individual seating, the floor mats, the shift knob and the steering wheel. More substantively for drivers, it also got Mercedes’ Sportline suspension that was 20% stiffer and 23 mm lower than run-of-the-mill 190s.

    Only 950 azzurro models were built, though it was their quite literal avant-garde nature that likely played into Mercedes’ choice to not sell the cars in the U.S.A. Fortunately, they’re now old enough for import and this clean and preserved example has just come on the market near Münich, listed for sale by an individual.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • Market Find: 2000 BMW Individual Dakar Yellow 323ti

    Market Find: 2000 BMW Individual Dakar Yellow 323ti

    What: 2000 BMW 323ti
    Color: BMW Individual Dakar Yellow (dakargelb; non-metallic UNI; 337; BMW)
    VIN: : WBACT31040AW13508
    Mileage: 194,000 kilometers
    Estimate: $17,500
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Southampton, UK
    Auction listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    For enthusiasts in the US, there’s often the opinion that while maybe we got a version, Europe ‘got the good one.’ While perhaps not the best representation of this sentiment, this Tailored Driver fits squarely into that category- bigger motor than was offered stateside, paired with a BMW Individual color. For those in the know, the 323i is a very interesting proposition in that it’s incredibly similar to the BMW Z3 coupe, albeit with a back seat. E36-generation from the firewall forward with an E30 rear subframe, this 323i will provide an exciting driving experience for whoever wins this Bring a Trailer auction. Please note, as this is a model year 2000 vehicle, it must be 25 years from the production date for trouble-free importation.

  • EU Market Find: Parisian 1992 Mercedes 300 3.4 AMG in Crystal Green

    EU Market Find: Parisian 1992 Mercedes 300 3.4 AMG in Crystal Green

    What: 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 CE 3.4 AMG
    Color: Crystal Green Metallic (kristallgrün; metallic UNI; 256; Mercedes-Benz)
    Chassis Number: N/A
    Mileage: 100,500 km, 62,447 miles
    Price at Time of this Writing: €95,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Casting Automobiles, Paris, France
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Likely due to rarity, it’s not uncommon to see a W124-generation Mercedes-Benz 300 CE coupe built by AMG crossing the six figure mark. Transaction prices approaching six figures (actually passing them by the time you convert to U.S. dollars and import) aren’t something we typically see of 1990s era cars from Mercedes-Benz. However, make them a well preserved AMG and it’s a whole new ballgame.

    If you’re a connoisseur of these cars, then we think it’s worth pointing your attention towards this particular specimen – a tone-on-tone coupe in a rare color of Crystal Green Metallic paired with green-tartan seating. It appears to have originated from Japan, though can now be found at a specialty dealer in Paris, France.

    Translating the listing gleans a few more notes about the car based around option codes. Where’s what it says:

    • 916 VEHICLES FOR HOT COUNTRIES – ADDITIONAL PARTS, HEATED REAR WINDOW
    • ORIGINAL JAPANESE CAR CRYSTAL GREEN (256U) with PINE CANVAS (066)
    • 221 LEFT FRONT SEAT WITH ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT
    • 222 RIGHT FRONT SEAT WITH ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT
    • 240 EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
    • 341 ADDITIONAL INDICATORS
    • 425 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
    • 430 HEADRESTS, TINTED UPPER PART
    • 600 HEADLIGHT WASHER-WIPER DEVICE
    • 613 LEFT-HAND DRIVE HEADLIGHTS
    • 664 20 LITERS OF FUEL AND VE III PACKAGING MODE
    • 802 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, LAMINATED GLASS

    Now, throw in the fact that this is a fully-built and well-preserved AMG model constructed on the W124 chassis a full 13 years ahead of Mercedes-Benz’s own buyout of AMG and you have a thoroughly interesting specimen for a serious MercedesBenz collector.

    This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.

  • EU Market Find: 1997 BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic M3 Coupe

    EU Market Find: 1997 BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic M3 Coupe

    What: 1997 BMW M3 coupe
    Color: BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic (ägäischblau; metallic; 336; BMW)VIN: WBSBG91000EW36422
    Mileage: 59,000 kilometers
    Price at Time of this Writing: €59,000
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: CarJager, Aix-en-Provence, France
    Dealer listing: Link

    Why we love it:

    Say it with us- BMW Individual Aegean Blue Metallic over Cream Nappa Leather. In 1997 this particular Tailored Driver was the choice of an M3 connoisseur, choosing the classiest of color combinations at their dealer and achieving a jaw-dropping finished product. Understandably the former custodians of this car loved looking at it, but it seems they liked looking more than spending time behind the wheel as the car has covered just 59,000km in it’s 28 years of existence.