This 1971 BMW 2000 is listed as an 1800 model in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, not far from where I used to live. The curious thing is that the badge on the rear flags it as an 1800 model, while the headlights and taillights are clearly from a later 2000-series, which also came with a larger engine. This is a former Italian market vehicle and perhaps the badges were swapped to help with taxation law related to engine capacity. Regardless, it is a rare find here in the U.S., and this car looks quite complete despite its garage-find status. Find the BMW listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000.
The 1600, 1800, and 2000 models were all members of BMW’s “Neue Klasse” of cars, representing a rebirth of sorts for the company. BMW was in the process of reinventing itself as a builder of sporting sedans, a class of vehicle that was largely untapped at that juncture. The company quickly settled into the space, becoming known for its ability to build four-door vehicles that were swift and sharp handling. The 2000 and earlier 1800 models sold well, with the former delivering a robust 100 horsepower and impressive acceleration and top-speeds for the era. Despite its years off the road, the interior of this BMW is in fine shape with a crack-free dash and LHD steering.
The seller likely doesn’t know a ton about the car, and with the 1800 badge on the trunk lid, you can’t blame him for listing it as such. Beyond the headlights and taillights, which are clues as to the larger engine size, the plate in the engine bay shows that it is equipped with a 2.0L engine – so, perhaps the original badge went missing, or as I suspect, there was some funny business ages ago with regards to engine displacement. In fact, this is exactly what I suspect happened, as Italy was the home market for the unusual BMW 320is, which was an E30 chassis M3-spec vehicle sold only in Italy to contend with “…extreme taxes on engines with displacements.”
The seller notes that this BMW ran when it was parked in the garage 7 years ago, but it doesn’t currently move under its own power. This is an unusual find anywhere, but it’s particularly strange to find in rural Rhode Island. The seller doesn’t let on as to how it got here, but its story is likely an interesting one. The engine bay looks dirty but complete and really, the grime we see here is just from sitting. The asking price is a touch steep for a project, especially since these Neue Klasse cars haven’t taken off price-wise. Still, you’re not likely to find another one any time soon. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Eric Altman for the tip.
From back when BMWs used to look good.
Nice car. I think your “Italian tax dodge” story is neat, Jeff. My first thoughts went the same way but (even in Italy) the tax authorities would go by the VIN when imported and then registered.
If the id plates under the bonnet say 2000, that´s how it would be taxed. In any case, I think it is cars over 2 litres where the big changes come into play. Like you say, there a few Italy-market specials like Ferrari 208, Alfa GTV6 2.0 (turbo) etc
Same in Greece. Engine capacity above 2 liters was taxed at the time quite heavily. As for the Ferrari 208 the Gruppo wanted to upgrade the X1/9 from 1.5 to 2 litters (X1/20) but the profit margin of the Ferrari badge was much greater so they decided to built the Lancia Monte Carlo with a different (non wedge) shape with a 2 lit engine and the Ferrari 208 with the shape similar to that of a X1/9 in order to catch the need for a X1/9 engine upgrade. The scheme basically failed because the 308 body was much heavier than that of the X1/9 and suffered from not enough power and the maintenance was far more expensive.
There’s also the possibility that the 1800 tag was put on the car because you can’t find a 2000 tag. Not sure what parts availability is for these things, but maybe you’d rather have a tag that looks right than empty holes on the sheet metal…
This Neue Klasse sedan is indeed an 1800 based on the VIN. These Series II NKs which began in August 1969 used the 2000 headlights and taillights and not the earlier 1800 style with a single headlight and a vertical taillight. I can’t explain the VIN with 2000 on it but is a euro-spec 1800. Baikal is a rare color for an NK but without evidence of a running motor it is way overpriced.
What is your VIN source for the NKs? I had CoPilot clean up the image with the VIN plate, and it reads “1500-4” and VIN “1545183.” This VIN corresponds to a 1600-2 built in late 1967.
By the way, it also shows what looks like a Greek 17-digit VIN sticker that reads “WBAAA2350(Epsilon)5586233”.
A friend of mine spoke with the owner, the VIN begins with 3450xxx and they built 625 of these, the owner provided more pics as well. The Series II 1800 had the 1.8l motor but was known as the 2000 1.8 as it had the features of the 2000 sedans. I own a 1969 2000 and I have VIN charts for NK, e3 and e9 coupes from BMW. The Greek VIN added later is meaningless
With a good week long clean up, detailed engine bay, get everything running go thru brakes, tires, cooling system and fuel. Just spending maybe 2 grand on it. You could have a nice driving good looking BMW well worth 7000$.
3454894 is the VIN Stamped on the body which also matches the VIN plate.