BMW bought the unique 3 Sequence solely as a two-door sedan, however again within the day, there was a means to purchase a convertible. A German coachbuilder crammed that hole within the E21’s lineup with the TopCabriolet (TC1), which featured a rear comfortable high. Though the following E30 technology did get a factory-built convertible, the Stuttgart-based area of interest model nonetheless launched its personal model, the TC2.
However the oddest member of the TopCabriolet household didn’t arrive till the E36. Sure, it is a four-door 3 Sequence with a material roof that folds down. The TC4 was extra of a landaulet than a real cabriolet. BMW Basic is now providing a uncommon take a look at this elusive four-door convertible, considered one of solely 311 items ever made.
It’s a peculiar-looking machine. From the perimeters, it nonetheless resembles an ordinary E36 for the reason that rear doorways stay intact. Issues change dramatically on the roof, the place two material panels stretch from the windshield body to the trunk. The entrance panel is detachable, giving the driving force and entrance passenger an open-air really feel.
The bigger of the 2 material sections folds down like a conventional comfortable high, although it appears a bit clunky when stowed forward of the trunk lid. Baur retained the B-pillars, so the TC4 was extra sedan than convertible. Not like most drop-tops that seat two or 4 folks, this one accommodates 5. In spite of everything, it’s nonetheless a 3 Sequence. A central roll hoop runs between the B-pillars, providing further safety in case of a crash.
Whereas it was a neat concept, it’s straightforward to see why it by no means caught on. Not solely was BMW already promoting a 3 Sequence Convertible, however this conversion didn’t come low-cost. In 1992, Baur charged round 7,000 German marks to transform an E36 to TC4 specification. That’s roughly $16,000 in in the present day’s cash.
It’s value noting that Baur wasn’t some obscure firm. It had already confirmed its engineering experience by assembling the BMW M1 and constructing the Porsche 959 between 1986 and 1993, so across the similar time because the TC2 and TC4. In 1999, Baur was absorbed by IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of Sweden’s Semcon (Scandinavian Engineering & Advertising Consultants).
