Automobiles that served as a “press car” or “demonstration vehicle” have always had an added level of intrigue over their early-production counterparts. Knowing a particular car graced the pages of automobile magazines being flung by road test editors seemingly makes collectors want a particular car even more, despite it being no different than the vehicles before and after it on the production line. This early BMW 2000 Touring model listed here on eBay is one such vehicle and has been relegated to a barn since 1983.
Here you can see the exact car when new, stacked up against a Reliant Scimitar of the same era. Knowing your exact vehicle is the same one the road test editors used is pretty neat, especially when print evidence remains of its demonstration car past. For years I’ve searched for photos from the 1987 auto show that took place in Dallas, as my 1987 BMW 325is project was the featured car on the exhibit hall floor – but I’ve never been successful in my hunt for those pictures.
The seller notes that an off-road excursion took the 2000 Touring off the road in 1983. Damage was limited to the front panel, passenger side wing and hood. It looks like a replacement fender was procured but left in primer; the seller also notes that while in storage, children broke out the driver’s side glass and sat in the middle of the Webasto sunroof, puncturing a hole in it. Despite this, the interior is not as awful as you might expect and replacement glass is included for the driver’s window; you’ll still need to source the rear glass.
While the body is tired, it’s also largely original in condition, with the slim European-market bumpers still attached along with the OEM hubcaps. These Touring models are desirable in the U.S. given their rarity stateside, but low surviving numbers mean Neue Klasse BMWs are hot commodities to collectors all over the globe. Factor in the seller’s belief that this is one of the oldest surviving cars left with its test vehicle history and it’s not hard to see why bidding is strong with six days left.
Looks like it came out of a press and it looks like it should go back in a press ASAP.
I have a 1976, 2002 and it is a special car to me. I bought it to use as an airport car, and found that it was well built, fun to drive, economical, and reliable. It will always be one of my favourite cars.
I have only seen one BMW hatchback up close, and could not convince myself to like the styling. Knowing that the car has a history, I hope it gets restored.
Bob
Too bad people didn’t take better care of their cars.
When I see cars like this, it just screams SAVE ME !! to me. In college in the 80’s, I bought a late 1972 2002, and I loved that car ! If I had the funds, I’d love to restore this. But no can do. I wonder what it’d cost to ship it to the US?
As a regular user of press cars, I often find that the colleagues don’t take good care of them. I am only guilty of putting road salt all over a BMW i8, but boy was it ever fun!