Hardy & Beck 1977 BMW 630CSi 3.5L 5-Speed

Description

“The BMW 6 Series: where engineering meets elegance.” The 1977 BMW 630 CSi was part of BMW’s first-generation 6 Series (E24), a line of grand touring coupes introduced in 1976. Designed by Paul Bracq, the E24 combined elegant styling with performance and luxury, marking BMW’s commitment to high-end sports coupes. The 630 CSi featured a fuel-injected 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing around 176 horsepower, paired with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.

Built on a modified E12 5 Series platform, the 630 CSi boasted independent suspension, disc brakes, and a driver-focused cockpit. The 630 CSi delivered a refined driving experience with balanced handling and solid build quality. Production of the 630 CSi was relatively short-lived, ending in 1979 as BMW introduced more powerful variants like the 633 CSi and 635 CSi.

Manufactured in 1977, this BMW 630 CSi underwent a comprehensive transformation in 1978 by Alpina distributors and renowned tuning experts Hardy & Beck of Berkeley, California. Upgrades included their signature 3.5-liter inline-six engine, a close-ratio Getrag five-speed gearbox, and a limited-slip differential, along with enhanced suspension, Alpina aerodynamic air dam, three-piece wheels, Scheel sport seats, and a MOMO steering wheel. Serving as Hardy & Beck’s original press car, it was featured in Road & Track magazine in Alpina trim and later earned the nickname “The Grizzly.”

As Car and Driver magazine reported of the big BMWs in January 1979, “The 630/633CSi has the best looks and leaves its driver feeling very special indeed. But, equipped with the Hardy & Beck package, any of the BMWs will awaken you before dawn with a tingle that moves you to dress quickly in anticipation of the moment the sun spreads over the horizon onto the pavement.”

Highlights

• 1977 BMW 630 CSi reimagined in 1978 by Hardy & Beck of Berkeley, California

• Original Hardy & Beck press car

• Featured in Road & Track magazine 1978

• Upgraded 3.5-Liter inline-six producing around 270 hp

• Close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual transmission

• Finished in New Polaris Metallic (901/060)

• Black vinyl Flo-Fit seats

• Documentation from Hardy & Beck

Features

• Alpina front spoiler

• Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes

• 17-inch OZ Futura wheels

• Staggered Hankook Ventus V12 tires

• 15-gallon fuel cell

• Power steering

• Pioneer stereo system

Known Imperfections

• Scratch on the sunroof skin

• Scratch on the deck lid

• Small ding on the passenger rear quarter panel

• Nose at the grill also has an indent

• Front lip spoiler has signs of road debris and driving

Included

• Documentation and receipts from Hardy & Beck

• Assortment of additional parts (starter, water pump, etc.)

• Air conditioning system

• 1979 Car and Driver article about Hardy & Beck

• Car cover

Ownership History

The consignor of this special 1977 BMW 630CSi tells its story: “This Polaris Metallic 1977 BMW 630CSi was modified in 1978 by Hardy & Beck of Berkeley, California, with their 3.5-liter inline-six, upgraded suspension, air dam, three-piece wheels, Scheel seats, MOMO wheel, close-ratio Getrag five-speed, and limited-slip differential. It appeared in Road & Track in Alpina livery and was later dubbed ‘The Grizzly.’ The engine was rebuilt, blueprinted, and updated in 1997, with servicing by Hardy & Beck continuing into the early 2000s.”

“After I acquired it in 2009, the car underwent a full mechanical overhaul, including a rebuilt 270wheel-horsepower engine, upgraded brakes and suspension, 17-inch OZ Futura wheels, and updates to the sunroof, wiring, cooling, and fuel systems. The Polaris paint was partially refreshed; the Hardy & Beck front spoiler remains, though damaged. The left mirror was deleted, inner headlights replaced with intakes, and a custom exhaust cutout and heat insulation added.”

“Hardy & Beck originally specified their 50-state 3.5L inline-six. That engine was overhauled in 1997. and in 2012 it was fully rebuilt with a Henry Lawrence long block assembly along with further modification. The block was decked, bored, and honed for 92.5mm custom pistons with 10.78:1 compression, and a later casting of the B35 head was sourced and overhauled with oversized ferrea valves and dual spring setup and port and polish, along with a 308 Dbilas Performance camshaft. It also has a dual-chamber oil sprayer bar with upgraded oil pump, and dual row timing chain. The Car has a full custom exhaust with coated Ladue Headers. The sidedraft Induction parts were sourced by TWM and the late Gary Pollard and a port-matched Korman triple sidedraft manifold. LS1 coil packs and Nissan R35 fuel injectors and late toothed harmonic balancer were utilized, and the system is controlled by a Haltech stand-alone engine management system and custom wiring harness. The car is running semi-sequential batch fire with wasted spark. An aluminum radiator, custom intake housing, and gold heat insulation on the header-side fender was also utilized. The car has a Getrag five-speed manual and a 3.46 side-loader limited-slip differential.”

“Wilwood big-brake kits, Bilstein shocks, and a NASCAR-style power steering system were installed. Inside, black vinyl Flo-Fit seats, Coco mats, a solid-mounted shifter tray with short throw, and a Pioneer stereo system are featured. Additional gauges, a five-panel wink mirror, and relocated engine management components round out the cabin. The trunk is outfitted with a 15gallon Aeromotive 340 Stealth Fuel Cell, and a custom return swirl pot. The battery is housed within a metal enclosure in the spare wheel well.”

“Black vinyl upholstery covers the period correct Flo-Fit sport seats, and Coco mats line the floors. A custom shift knob is mounted on the solid-mounted shifter tray with short throw weighted linkage. The Pioneer stereo is linked to aftermarket speakers front and rear, and a H&B three-gauge pod is mounted below with wideband O2 monitoring, Innova fuel pressure, and Haltech CAN multi gauge. The Authentic Nardi steering wheel frames a 150-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. A second tachometer is mounted on the column, and an oil pressure gauge and the engine control units are mounted in the glovebox. The current owner has added all of the approximately 6k miles on the cluster, with total mileage unknown.”

This 630CSi is offered with a clean North Carolina title in the name of the seller's name.