Here we have the classic pairing of engineering and brute force. Added to the list of things such as Starsky & Hutch and Red Bull & Jagermeister, is now BMW & Ford.

This may look like a mint condition 1987 BMW 325i convertible, but there’s a beast under the hood. The 2.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine has been swapped for a Ford 302 ci V8. Considering this engine is more commonly known as the 5.0, we’re going to call this new creature the BMW 350i.

This BMW’s original engine was good for 168 hp, while the non-Cobra Mustang 5.0 engines maxed out at 225 hp – and that’s before this owner’s modifications. Technology did take a back seat in the German to American conversion as this car has gone from fuel injection to carburetors.

The Bimmer’s new engine does create some obvious problems. The V8 adds more than double the weight of the previous engine, which will likely have an adverse effect of the 3-Series’ stellar handling. Moving from 164 lb-ft of torque to 300 lb-ft could easily shatter the rear axle.  Plus, Frankenstein projects like this will always have a few engineering bugs that can never be quite worked out. But still we kinda are rooting for this one.

We’ve always liked the E30 cars because they were the ultimate sleeper: it looked like a family sedan, but handled like a rally car. The E30 325i hit 60 mph less than a second behind the muscle cars of the day, and it could easily take them in the corners. So this Mustang-powered match up intrigues us.

This one gets a DWB not because of the state you have to be in to buy the car, but for the pass-out drunk condition your friends may need to possess before possibly accepting this purchase. Your Ford friends will spit their Budweiser in your face for allowing a “five-oh” to land in German hands; and the BMW boys will fill your tank with their Heinekens to try and kill the unsophisticated lump under the hood. So make sure you show up with plenty of Jager Bombs…after all, everyone can get along on Jager Bombs.

[source: eBay]