While the rush to collect round-taillight 2002s is a well-known phenomenon among BMW classics enthusiasts, the 1600 is also a desirable specimen seen far less often. This example is in Canada but was originally a U.S. vehicle. It has one of the more desirable features of any of the neue klasse cars with its original nose panel still attached. This highly original example is listed here on eBay with bidding just over $1,500.
The simple exterior, with its smaller bumpers and original hubcaps, seems so graceful compared to the later square taillight models. Given how often cars received new nose panels following a light fender-bender, ’02 enthusiasts get understandably excited to find a car with the original panels still in place. While this 1600 has some rust spots bubbling, it seems like the type of corrosion you can manage while still enjoying the car.
The interior doesn’t look half-bad, with a complete console, period radio and decent bucket seats still installed. The dash is cracked (not a surprise) and the carpets look slightly tired. The big story will continue to be the originality of everything still on the car, as the seller notes even the hubcaps and carbs are the original date-stamped items, showing very little evidence of deviations from OEM condition. Does this point to a car that continuously benefited from ongoing maintenance? Hard to tell.
The old-school Oregon plates still being with the car may also point to a limited-use history once it entered Canada. The time-capsule qualities seem less surprising once the seller admits it’s been parked for 25-30 years. While the lack of rust repair and repaint is something to be celebrated, a careful examination of the car’s structure is essential to determining if any time spent on Canadian roads caused corrosion issues to bubble up underneath. Still, this 1600 is so original that it hurts, and I’m sure the next owner will work to preserve those qualities.
This looks like a lot of fun! I’d driven a couple of these: one later (and slightly modified) 1600, and a 2002. Nimble and responsive, they were quality cars. And you don’t see many on the road these days.
Not being a serious BMW fan, I don’t know what the parts situation might be, but at the price it hardly seems as if a buyer could go wrong.
And I see no worries with bringing it (back) into the U.S. I’ll bet someone will jump on this and, unless there are hidden flaws the seller hasn’t mentioned, they’ll get a real deal.
This one appears solid where it needs to be, and the interior isn’t actually too far gone. If it weren’t so far from the U.S. East Coast, I might be bidding.
Great little cars, one of the finest little cars I have owned. I have owned two of them, one round lite, and a 75 2002. The only problem with them, was like all cars from those years, you had to stay ahead of the rust.
I still have the DCOE manifold and Solex carbs for one, as well as BBS wheels.
The quality of the car is not in question here nor is its handling characteristics. But styling is, there is only one word to cover it UGLY it looks like a fridge lying on its back. For me there looks have killed any interest. But as they say what ever floats your boat.
I love the 2002’s. Had a ’72 in baikal blue, sunroof with dealer installed a/c. Unfortunately it came stock with a slushbox. Had that yanked and installed a 5 speed getrag. Great handling and lots of fun. Sold it in the eighties. Yet again ahead of the curve…..damn!
This one is rough. Period. Everything needs to be gone over and replaced, repaired, rebuilt. Parts available but it should be a labor of love……no money coming back any time soon :)
Wow. My dad bought a white 1968 1600 just like this, and traded it two years later on a beige 1970 2002. I remember them both very well, especially the latter, which I was able to drive before it rusted away into a pile of jagged orange flakes. They were spectacularly good cars, but they rotted out spontaneously. I remember that 2002 was openly rusting out by the time it was two years old. In 1975 he bought an Alfetta GT and it rusted out even faster! My dad should have considered getting a winter beater.
can U say Tii (w/KKK turbo). Now we’re talkin!
always desirable in my book.
I owned a ’69 1600 while I was in Germany. Paid a whopping $200 for it! New set of Michelin X’s, a fuel pump and welded up a few holes in the exhaust and it was on the road. I loved flogging that thing around the Germany countryside. It met its demise though when the right rear spring pushed its way up through the rusty chassis.
To this day its still one of the best cars I’ve owned for the mere fun factor (and the low price!).
Geez Louise! Can anyone who writes up a 2002 (or 1600) come up with something better to say besides the old roundie/squarie debate? It’s just so hackneyed at this point. Here’s a shot of my sunroof squarie with tucked front bumper and hub caps. I like it just fine, thank you very much. And from the driver’s seat, I like it even better!
Gee Rex I think you might have got up on the wrong side of the bed with a big grumpy on. When it comes to one of these there’s not much else to say so we repeat ourselves. I think you should have a cup of coffee and and I hope you have a better day. Cheers.
I know where there is one like this that is a true barn find about a block from my house here in Southern California. I saw it in a old mans garage under a pile of junk (typical of “I’m going to restore it one day” type of people) and they never do. I put a note on the door of the house to call me if they want to sell it. No answer yet. Not really my type of car but it doesn’t look like it would take much to get it back in good condition.