One of the most beguiling aspects of a garage find car is the fact that a special vehicle could remain hidden away for many years, protected from the elements and prying eyes, only to emerge years later looking almost the same as it did when it went into storage. It’s as if you’re allowed a rare opportunity to step back in time with no time machine needed. For anyone who loves the BMW 2002, this forest green example listed here on craigslist may offer the step back in time they’ve been seeking, as it’s been hidden away in storage since 1985.
I dig this color, and in looking at the paint options for 1976, the closest match seems to be Mintgrun, but even that seems far too bright. My only speculation is that the paint is so flat that it looks darker than it actually is, but that’s purely a guess. The pool of liquid underneath the 2002 is ominous, especially for a car that supposedly hasn’t run in several decades. I would love to see how this paint changes after it’s hit with a buffer. Those big “safety” bumpers, however? Those have to go.
A repaint is certainly possible, especially given old 2002s spent several years being just a tired used car. The square taillight models with the larger U.S.-market bumpers trailed their round taillight siblings significantly, but the later cars have started to catch up in recent years. Still, I believe we’re in a soft spot in the market right now for cars that weren’t ever all that hot, and sale prices for a square light model seem destined to remain reasonable for the foreseeable future.
This is a sunroof model, which will make the 2002 more special to some and less sought-after by others. The listing is short on details and photos, and I truly wonder what the undersides of this BMW look like. The Pennsylvania license plate effectively guarantees that this car has seen some road salt in its life, and the top photo shows what looks like rust bubbles at the bottoms of the door. The asking price is $9,999, which could be seen as fair or pricey depending on whether the paint is determined to be original.
Sparse description, amateur photos, the mystery pool underneath, a whiskey bump on the side but all that would be easily overlooked in the eyes of someone who was willing to take a chance after looking at it closely-it’s a good price from what I’ve seen around here.
I bought my first BMW back in 1980. It was a new 320i, white with blue interior and 5-speed. Back then, BMWs were just starting to become cool , and most dealerships were very small compared to now. The dealership where I got it was a former gas station, and typically only ever had a handful of cars in-stock.
I bought it more or less on impulse, after my ’76 Blazer rusted out, and the GM dealership salesman blew me off when I went to buy another, I felt GM had more arrogance than quality, and decided to try a European car.
I loved my 320i, and became interested in other BMWS. During the 80s, I found, and bought several 2002s including a nice tii. They were really fun to drive, and easy to work on. Over the years, I bought many other European cars, some were barn-find projects, others were newer drivers. I owned multiple Mercedes, Jags, Porsches, Rolls-Royces, and a Ferrari.
I am semi-retired now, and went back to GM daily drivers (Escalades) a few years ago, and my experience has been mixed.
I still find/build one or 2 barn-find projects a year. Most have been mid-year Corvettes, although I just started on a fairly nice ’79 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II. Found it in a woodshed, but was a California car, and had only been parked a couple years.
I still miss my BMW 2002s, but have not found any locally (within a 2-hour drive) in several years. If the green car shown here was local, I would want to see it. I would likely bring my trailer, and cash.
Okay Jeff, I’m going to repeat myself. Maybe I’ve written this more than once before, but the bumpers from 74-76 2002s actually work. I can drive my 75 ‘02 in the city or downtown and park in any parallel parking space without fear of returning to a damaged car. It makes my well loved ‘02 a real driver. The rectangular taillights, likewise, are visible at a distance. I do like the adorable look of Roundies for their period taillights and tidy bumpers, but I lean toward function over form, and am therefore more than pleased with my “less than adorable” later model 2002.
Value depends on how rusty it is underneath. I had a 2002 and went out one morning and thought it had a flat in the rear tire. Opened the trunk to get the jack and found a rear spring looking at me as the spring had pushed through the rusted out unibody.
Am very familiar with the 2002 series cars,I repainted my 1974 2002 tii the original Sierra Bronze,with a clear coat,it is a long and tiring process,worth all the time and money you spent,if the project turns out correct.These later model 2002 had a clear coat surface that would start to fall off the paint surface in a few years,made a hazey effect,looked bad. Prompted many owners to attempt auto painting,lucky I had a very good instructor.
The paint to that poor green car probably is not original,and someone did not get the mix right.
If you are looking at a car to buy just peel back the rubber seal around a door,or under the trunk lid.That should show you what color the car originally was painted.
I kept the basher bumpers the five years of my ownership,they can be adjusted to pull inward about 3 inch,and not look as clunky.
Have a nice set of early Chrome 2002 bumbers in my garage if someone is considering the swap.You can also buy a set of chrome bumper guards to mount on front and back,does not look too bad.
There are a few nice 2002 for sale on the BMWCCA magazine “The Roundel”, Many helpful people you will meet there,that will make BMW ownership easier.
I believe the original color is Taiga Metallic.
Rust will be an issue despite the fact it has been sitting a long time. I would also like to know why there are impact strips missing from the driver’s side (front fender and behind the rear wheel well). What does the driver’s side look like?
If you are going to ask a premium price, you need to provide people with a large number of quality pictures. We need to see trunk, shock towers, rocker panels, nose (upper and lower), front frame horns, sunroof area with sunroof open, area where sunroof drains (front fenders if I remember correctly), etc. for the extent of rust.
Need to see the engine bay.
Need to see the interior.
Need to see the underside of the car shot on a lift.
Personally, I think $10K for this is way too much. I have owned over 40 examples of the ’02 series and I wouldn’t touch this car since a 1976 2002 has to be smog tested and certified to be registered in California. Only 1975 and earlier examples are exempt from smog testing.