One Owner! 1973 BMW 2002 Survivor

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

Who says that US emissions regulations were all bad? We got some good cars from the deal, just not from American makers. The Japanese found workarounds, giving us the Celica, the Accord, the Z-car – all of which aged with at least some aplomb into the Malaise Era. Then there’s the BMW 2002. It is basically a 1600 with BMW’s 2.0-liter engine, a swap that was pursued independently by two BMW executives. The original 1600 was spritely enough, and the 1600 TI was even better with 96 hp, but its power relied on twin carbs, making it too dirty for the US. The 2.0-liter generated 101 hp in a handy, comfortable, even practical car – and it could pass emissions tests. It was so good that it begot hundreds of thousands of loyal BMW fans pretty much forever. Today’s 1973 BMW 2002 has had a single owner, posting 119,000 miles over its life. It is listed here on eBay with bidding at $13,100, reserve not met. The new owner may need more than just a trailer, as the car is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The car was owned by an engineer who maintained it well and kept it garaged. It comes with “all documents” though exactly what that includes is not specified. In fact, the listing doesn’t do this good-looking example justice. Still, the engine bay is so tidy, we can believe the owner was meticulous. By 1973, the M10 engine had received a new head with simpler emissions gear while still utilizing a single Solex, maintaining at the 100 hp mark. Tragically, this car is equipped with an automatic rather than the lovely four-speed manual that was standard.

The interior displays an age-related patina, but it’s in great shape given the car’s mileage and its life in sunny, salty Hawaii. The steering wheel is wrapped – either to protect it or hide cracking. These cars are ergonomically excellent, with pedals, wheel, gearshift and e-brake within easy reach and gauges well within your line of sight. The tall windows and slender pillars give it one of the best greenhouses in existence.

By 1973, both bumpers and ride height were in a multi-step process of alteration to meet five mph and headlamp height restrictions. But the solutions – including extending the bumper mounts and adding length to the springs – weren’t nearly as onerous as MG’s rubber protrusions and tip-toe stance. By 1975, the 2002 had completed its production run. This example is about as lovely as they come without a restoration involved. Accounting for shipping to the mainland, giving the benefit of the doubt to the seller around the “documents” available, and considering the demerit of an automatic gearbox, this example should probably sell in the mid-teens.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Howard A Howard AMember

    These cars, and the 1600, changed everything for BMW. Known to most at that time for their unusual motorcycles, the cars had a slow start. Had it not been for a friend that bought a new ’73 2002Tii, I probably never would have looked at them. Didn’t take long for word to get out what unbelievable cars they were, and the rest is history.
    Now, in a related BMW story, one for the “if you live long enough” file, my daughter has a 2018 330i(?) she absolutely loves, and for good reason. Fits right in L.A. traffic. Well, she was out of the country for the last 8 months, the car sat with a cover over it. Upon returning, naturally the battery was flat, but once started it ran poorly. Got new gas, no different. A neighbor runs a shop and looked at the car, he was horrified at what he found( leaning forward in anticipation). Inside the firewall, a rat the size of a rabbit had made their home in the engine compartment, and,,,get this, ate( and was eating) all the wiring!! Apparently, BMW ( and others,probably) uses a compound for its wiring coating that rodents can eat. He said it’s a well-known problem. He got the rat out, but now has to price a new wiring harness. THAT, my friends, blew me away,,,

    Like 12
    • Covelo Hot Shot

      My twenty year old German car, MB SLK 350, has wiring which seems to be problematic as well. The rodents like it. After replacing parts of the wiring harness I now make sure the little bags of rodent deterrent fragrance in the trunk and engine compartment are still there. The vehicle is sometimes parked for weeks at a time, and that seems to keep the rodents away. And that’s the only issue I have ever had with the car, other than being tasty to a rat the car is perfect.

      Like 2
    • Martin Horrocks

      Nice post Howard. I´d say that the car which changed everything for BWM was the Neue Klasse 1500 (about 1963?) but its effect may have been greater (and earlier) in Europe than in the US, The 1600 & 2002 stood on its shoulders.

      Like 2
  2. bobhess bobhessMember

    Spent a little over one year in one of these and it is still one of the best driving cars ever built. Nice one here.

    Like 6
  3. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    I loved my ’75 2002, and didn’t mind the bigger bumpers at all.

    I had a friend who had a 1976 2002, which I thought was the final year for the model.

    Like 6
    • Michelle RandAuthor

      I think the ’76s were made in ’75 and sold as model year ’76.

      Like 4
  4. james sartor

    When an engineer says “all documents” you will get each and every piece of paper that’s even been near this car.

    Like 11
    • Charlie

      Maybe.

      Like 0
  5. El Grecko

    Actually the 4 speed in the 2002 isn’t that pleasant a gearbox. It shifts nicely enough but the first gear ratio is way too short. We used to joke that it was intended to get a 2002 with 5 big German women started again easily if they stopped on an uphill in the Alps… So, you run out of first too quickly and then there’s a huge drop in RPM’s to second. That requires the synchro’s to work hard and they eventually wear out. That’s why it’s very common to have a 2002 with a bad 2nd gear syncho and it will “snick” if you shift to fast to second. The “dog leg” 5 speed has a TALLER first gear and the same (1:1) top gear and has 5 cogs that cover a smaller range than 4 in the standard box.

    Like 3
    • Howard A Howard AMember

      The Pinto and my Capri had the same issue. 1st was real low, and a big gap for 2nd. The friends ’73 2002 Tii had a 4 speed, and I don’t recall that.

      Like 2
  6. Terrry

    There was a big reason people here in the USA wanted foreign cars. When the only small cars coming out of Detroit were the Gremlin, the Pinto and the Vega, you get the picture. The car magazines of the time, mainly Car and Driver and Motortrend, touted imports big-time, and had a thing for these BMWs too, C and D calling the 2002 “Bavarian Creme”, for its smooth running and handling.

    Like 6
  7. Martin Horrocks

    Excellent write up again Michelle. You hit the nail on the head with your introduction, the 2002 was kind of an accidental succes. Those 2 guys in the BMW skunkworks had no idea what they were kicking off.

    In the UK, I remember first reading about the 2002 in US magazines like Car & Driver. I think it took a while for the model to become available in UK but it sold well. 2002 Tii was the halo product, giving racing credibility. At the time the whole sector was owned by Alfa´s 105 series, but look at them now….

    Not just Alfa´s clothes were stolen, Mercedes could not respond effectively for about 40 years.

    I had a very similar car to this about 20 years ago. One previous owner, lovingly kept, green with 4 speed manual. It was a fine piece of work. Force me to it and I´ll choose an Alfa Giulia, but it´s so close….

    Like 1
  8. Jimbosidecar

    In 1969 my mother switched job which meant she would have to commute over 120 miles per day. So, she asked me to find a car that would be reliable and use way less gas than her Ford Country Squire station wagon. So, I showed her the article of the BMW 2002 in C and D. She agreed that would fit the bill. But instead of taking me with her to the dealership she took my older brother. I waited for hours for her to return with her new car. When she finally did she had bought a BMW 1600 instead. And with no sunroof to boot. I wanted to beat my brother for allowing this to happen. The 1600 was still a great car, and way better than every car in the neighborhood, but still…

    Like 4
    • Martin Horrocks

      I agree. I had a 1602 and 2002 and the 1602 didn’t shine like the 2 litre car. Both looked good in the car park

      Like 1
  9. HBChris

    The last US 2002s were built in July 1976 and the euro only 1502 was built through December 1976. And 861,940 were built for all markets and includes 1600 and 1502 models and the Tourings and cabriolets.

    Like 1
    • Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

      Thank you Chris, I was sure that 76 was the last of the 2002s. My 63 Riviera was built in late ’62, but it isn’t a ’62, it’s a ’63.

      Like 1
  10. matthew grant

    I bought a year old 2002 in 1973 for $2200. I remember my seats being a rolled tufted plastic, I don’t recall this kind of upholstery. too bad it’s an automatic.

    Like 0
  11. wardww

    I was in love with it until I saw the slushbox handle.

    Like 0
  12. KCJ

    A girl in H.S. had one,her dad was a BMW guru,that car was so cool looking an sounding compared to the American cars, I’d love to have it,was it ever made in a rag top?

    Like 0
  13. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    Baur coachbuilders built cabrios, they are rare.

    Like 1
  14. smtguy

    Had a ’71 1600 in college – great car, nicest gearbox I have ever had. This was the last year for a 1600 in the U.S. Should have kept it. Sold it to my then brother in law who wrecked it. Still mad about that.

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Barn Finds