In many circles, the BMW 2002 Series is considered iconic. Part sports car and part sedan, BMW had a winner in the late 1960s when they dropped a 2.0-liter engine into their 1600 Series cars, providing buyers with a “sport sedan”. This 1973 edition is said to be a survivor but with some period-correct upgrades. Located in Davis, California, this beauty is available here on craigslist for $52,500. Kudos to ToddK for this way cool tip!
The folks at BMW combined the functionality of a family sedan with the handling and performance of a European sports car and the 2002 was born in 1968. For more than a decade, some 430,000 copies would be produced, making it a huge success both “over the pond” and in the U.S. A friend of mine is taken so much by the car that he’s now collected at least 20 of them, though likely none of them run or will anytime in the near future.
Creating the 2002 began with the smallish 1600 2-door sedan which was treated to an overhead camshaft engine upgrade that added 17 more hp in a light package – barely over 2,000 lbs. The result was a car that could do 0 to 60 in a little more than nine seconds. Coming up with the name for the automobile was less creative – 2002 stands for two liters and two doors. Simple, huh?
The seller’s 2002 was a one-owner car until 2020. Though it presents quite well, the paint is mostly original, and the vehicle has accumulated some 107,000 miles. But there are parts of the vehicle that are no longer “as-built”, which includes the Recaro bucket seats, 5-speed manual transmission, and alloy wheels. The first owner, who held on to it for 47 years, was a college professor who no doubt had a bit of a wild streak in him/her. Parts replaced by the seller comprise the tires, clutch, brakes, and suspension components. It’s said to be a great runner that should put a smile on anyone’s face who puts it through its paces.
Have to admit I have a weakness for these little Roundies. When they’re in decent mechanical shape, they’re a blast to drive, just as they were back in the day. I wanted one then, and that hasn’t changed.
The alterations wouldn’t stop me, as they really don’t affect the basic car. If one really wanted to get serious, I imagine correct seats, transmission and steering wheel could be found. But those are changes I might have made if I had bought one new, so won’t complain.
I do, however, complain about the price. That’s a little too steep for a buy-and-rack-up-the-mileage car, which is what it would be for me.
Crazy price for today’s market for sure. Interesting choice for the upholstery color but you can’t fault the choice of the E21 Recaros. They’re among my favorite seats and nearly impossible to find today. I was thankful to find a set back in 2009 for my Bronco and I still sit in them today.
Solid driver. Unrealistic price. That’s an all-original daily driver no rust price. I’m not saying how much over the price is, but it is. Cute car. Just be real. If you’re not ready to sell, don’t.
Spent a year in one of these. About as good a driver that’s ever been put on the road. Interesting about the steering wheel… I don’t remember ever seeing one of these without the exact same aftermarket unit.
Just after HS,(’73) my 1st GF had some friends that were into sports cars. One guy had a Bug, another a Vega GT( that was a really fun car, btw) one had a GT6+ and I just got my MGB from my Opel “Mini-Brute”.. We would chase each other on back Kettle Moraine roads, risking life and limb for a thrill. Bug guy rolled his car on a curve there. The Vega GT guy, name escapes me, traded his Vega on a brand new orange’73 2002 Tii. BMWs were as obscure as Saabs or Fiats, never saw one, but boy howdy, what a car. 1st car I ever saw with F.I. It ate my poor MG for lunch, and I think, it was these cars that got BMW rolling in the US. Wonderful cars, BUT,,,,,I had the last snicker, as the BMW had a 2nd gear glitch early on, they fixed it, but then began using oil,,a LOT of oil, while the old MG chattered on. My daughter, when replacing her Dodge Calibur, that was also an okay car,, asked me, what kind of car to buy,,,ME,,I said, well, can’t go wrong with a Caddy, that went over poorly, she said, it’s down to an Audi or BMW( I won’t say where she lives, but you can guess) I said, I don’t know much about Audi, but BMW, simply the finest cars in the world, and she went with a 328, that she absolutely LOVES. Beats that Dodge Calibur, for sure. Very nice cars, and the 1600/2002 , I feel, got it going.
nice car. stupid price.
Until you have owned or driven a BMW 2000 tii you haven’t experienced true motoring. I have owned Brits, Yank, French, Italian etc. cars which total about 2-300 and of all of them, if I had the chance , it would be my 2002 that I would have back in a heartbeat!
I’ve owned all kinds, except Ferrari, but only drove a 1600 version of this BMW – which was a blast. The one i miss is the Sunbeam Tiger. If ever there was a hooligan car, it was that Tiger. I could do silly things with it IN TOWN, and not get caught.
I owned a 73 roundie. What a tough little car. It was maroon with tan interior. Factory sunroof and factory air which I believe is a rare combo. Gold bbs wheels. It was near showroom and I had no plans on selling. However a divorce got in the way and roundie had to go.
My two cents: I love my ‘75 with its functional bumpers and visible tail lights. I added a later 5 speed and rear discs, 14” bottle caps and Bilsteins. It is a blast to drive through the coastal hills above the Pacific. Mine has a few stone chips and an older respray and a tiny crack in the dash and I imagine it’s worth about $15K. Not that I’d sell it, but my daughter might after I’ve expired.
I learned how to drive in a 1968 1600. When my father returned home from overseas he traded it in on a 1971 Pinto. I begged him to let me buy it for what the dealer was offering him for it but no dice. They were great cars, even the smaller engined 1600s
Wait….Russ….you have a friend with 20 of these cars and none of them run? It’s time for an intervention! And bring some tools!
I’ve had 3 of them and loved 2 (72-73) hated the other(75) they were pure fun and in the tradition of Bavaria they were spartan and well
layed out ( particularly the hood actuation, you could get at everything) lve had a few early 3
series ( not a fan except my last a 318ti ) O-60
eventually. For a moment a 635ci nice but mine blew up. Now have a 128i and it’s like a “modern 2002 , love it N52 , last of the rear drive , regular aspiration ( change the OEM water pump and that’s about it!