This is the sight that reader Paul W saw the evening that he went to have a look at a friend’s 2002tii. The ’72 BMW had been sitting in this barn for 15 years, when Paul’s friend decided it was time for it to move on to a new owner that could get it back on the road again. Paul, being a 2002 fanatic, seemed like the best choice if this 2002tii was to have any chance of hitting the road again.
Once Paul saw the car he knew he had to save it, so he called up a tow truck to get the car home. The 2002tii was without a doubt the most popular of the 2002 line and Paul knew it deserved another chance at life. When new, this 2002tii provided great performance and great value. The 2002 is often considered to be the car that gave birth to the idea of the compact sports sedan.
The 2002tii offers great handling and solid performance from its 2 liter 4-cylinder. The 130 hp produced by this engine gives this 2200 lb. car a decent punch. When Paul got the car home the first thing he set to doing was getting everything cleaned up. With a little bit of elbow grease he was able to get the engine looking as good as new. And after a little tinkering he was able to get it to fire up. Check out that before and after photo!
For sitting pretty much outside for 15 years, this car is in surprisingly good shape. Obviously the paint has seen better times, but the body is solid and there isn’t any serious rust to be found. Even the interior is in excellent condition which after cleaning looks almost as good as new. The car was really just in need of a good cleaning and some TLC.
After years of being parked, Paul has given this car another chance at life and its now back on the road. Paul says he plans to not do too much to the car and just drive it till he gets bored with it. The best part for Paul is that his 2002tii cost him nothing more than a tow, a few parts, and some elbow grease. Good find Paul and good luck.
I have *no* plans to ever get bored with this old gal. *laughing* Thanks for the feature!
I love it just the way it is. You did a fantastic job bring life back into a classic car. Dont paint it, Dont !
this car looks so familiar, were you at “the vintage” in old-salem, nc with this?
Yes Patrick, Same car. These “before” photos were taken only 9 weeks before I drove it to North Carolina! :^D No plans on ever painting it…instead searching for techniques to preserve the patina.
Dont laugh here, OK. Wax it. ???or just let it continue along its ‘Patina Path’I realize this is your car, but thanks for reading our input. I had a 71 Ford Ranchero that I went through pretty much the same as this, I used a scotch bright green sponge to clean the paint and waxed it. I referred to it as a True Survivor. *dents, scratches and all*
I thought about wax. Kerosene (ech!) has also been suggested, as has “Gibbs Oil”….whatever that is! I don’t want to smell like Kero every time I lean against it though. Gawd I HATE that smell. Would like to avoid white wax residue though.
Make sure you check out the grand daddy of all 2002 sitesmy2002tii.com
I actually used a silicone based Motorcycle wax. Wax on Wax off. No rubbing in, just rub on and off. Oil? I think not.
I’ve been told Gibbs Oil is some sort of Metal Prep solution, not a true “oil”….hrmmmm. And C Doyle; Where do you think Keith at my2002tii got so many of those parts? I spent over a decade at a BMW restoration parts importing company. I had that man on speed dial! :^D Good guy. Good car.
Had a chance to look at this Bimmer at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix today. Paul, I don’t live too far from, so hopefully I’ll get to see it at some more events. Keep it as it is, They’re only original once. Thanks for bringing it to the PVGP!
Thanks Albert! The car is an absolute joy to drive. Always a pleasure watching folks smile as they look at it, too! You’ll see plenty more of her in the coming months. No plans on exterior beautification…only preservation.
Man, is that sweet! You’ve made that old car (and me) very happy!