1975 BMW 3 Series (E21) Photos, engines & full specs

BMW introduced the first generation of the 3 Series, the E21, in 1975 as a replacement for the aging, nine-year-old 02 Series, and created the foundation for the one of the most important pillars in the carmaker’s history.

In 1962, the German automaker launched the “Neue Klasse Concept,” which led to the development of the 1602 lineup in BMW’s inventory. The idea of a small-sized, two-door, lightweight vehicle that could provide a sporty feeling for the driver and enough room for a family took off. The results were excellent, and the model was sold in almost 900,000 copies between 1966 and 1977. For the European market, though, BMW considered that the car had to be replaced after nine years into production. As a result, research for the car’s successor began in the early ‘70s, and the final product was unveiled in the summer of 1975 at the Munich Olympic Stadium. Furthermore, along with this lineup, the car manufacturer changed the naming system, where the first number represented the family model and the other two the engine’s displacement. This tradition continued for decades, with just a few exceptions.

The appearance of the new 3 Series, known as the E21 in factory coding, was a step above the 1600, but not that much so customers wouldn’t recognize it. While at first sight, it looked like an evolution, it was, in fact, a revolution. At the front, the car had the same two-headlights design as its predecessor, and between them was a broad black grille with horizontal slats. Later, the inline-six engine versions received a double-headlights design. In the middle, in a vertical position, BMW installed its famous “kidney grille” design theme. Below, the E21 featured a chromed metallic bumper with rubber endings, while on the lower side of the front fascia was an apron.

From its profile, the shark-nose design created an aggressive look for the vehicle. Thanks to the longitudinally-mounted engine, the automaker could make a low engine bay. The greenhouse wasn’t tall and featured a raked windshield followed by a short roof. In the back, the sedan-type rear window continued with a slightly sloped-down trunk lid. In the back, the car featured horizontal taillights and, depending on the version, had a plastic panel that adorned it or not. Below the chromed metallic bumper, the automaker installed either a single or dual exhaust system, depending on the version. BMW offered the 3 Series (E21) exclusively with two doors.

Inside, customers found a black, vinyl-covered dashboard with a short center stack tilted towards the driver. The same material also adorned the door cards, while the seats were cloth-upholstered. Fronting the driver was a clean-looking instrument panel filled with a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel level gauge, and a coolant temperature indicator, along with other warning lights. On the center stack, the E21 had the controls for the HVAC system, while a stereo was on the options list. The front seats were slim but supportive and were fit even for taller people. At the same time, in the back, the bench seat could accommodate up to three occupants, although legroom was nothing to write home about.

In the beginning, the 3 Series was available exclusively with 1.6-, 1.8-, and two-liter inline-four engines. Later, in 1977, the automaker introduced the six-cylinder powerplants with either 2.0- or 2.3-liter, the latter being offered exclusively with a Bosch L-Jetronic fuel-injection system. Power went to the rear wheels via a four- or five-speed manual, depending on the version and options. Furthermore, a three-speed automatic was also available for specific models.