When compiling a list of potential classic cars to park in your garage, the number of contenders could be enough to fill a small (or large) book. If your focus leans towards European classics, vehicles like this 1975 BMW 2002 could find a rightful place on the shortlist. The 2002 was no rocketship, but it offered a refined driving experience that rewards enthusiastic drivers. Our feature car not only presents nicely but has been meticulously maintained and features a factory sunroof to increase the motoring pleasure on sunny days. The owner feels that the time is right for this classic to find a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. Located in Alpine, New Jersey, the owner has set the BIN at $22,800. If that figure is a bit rich for your blood, he also provides the option for interested parties to make an offer.

The owner refers to this BMW as a time capsule, and while it does sport a few updates, it remains essentially unmodified. Its Malaga Red paint shines beautifully, with only a few minor marks and blemishes. There is nothing horrendous, so if the buyer decided to retain the car untouched, there would be no shame in that approach. It is unclear whether the vehicle has been the recipient of any cosmetic restoration, but its panels look remarkably straight for a car of this vintage. Perhaps the best news is this BMW’s lack of rust problems. The floors are in excellent condition, while there is no evidence of any issues eternally. The owner claims that the factory sunroof option is relatively rare, but I’ve found no figures to confirm this. It appears that its seals are in good condition because there are no water stains or marks on the interior trim that would indicate problems. The glass and trim are excellent, and this 2002 rolls on a spotless set of BBS alloy wheels.

Tipping forward the hood on this BMW exposes the 1,990cc four-cylinder engine that produces 98hp. Those horses find their way through a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels, allowing the 2002 to romp down the ¼ mile in 17.8 seconds. The BMW achieved this performance while still easily exceeding fuel consumption figures of 22mpg. These were the early days of The Malaise Era, and domestic manufacturers struggled to achieve this sort of magic combination in 1975. However, those same companies were willing to sit up, look, and learn. That made cars like the 2002 important contributors to American automobile development. This BMW is in excellent mechanical health. The owner has recently dropped more than $6,000 on a mechanical refurbishment. He contracted a BMW specialist to perform the work, and he utilized only genuine parts in the process. The result is a German classic that runs and drives perfectly and is ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner.

While the BMW’s interior generally presents well, it has one glaring fault that disappoints me. The Beige upholstery is in excellent condition, but there’s an inconsistency that the owner doesn’t mention. There is no evidence of any radio or stereo, but there are aftermarket speakers in the doors. Or, more accurately, there is one fitted to the passenger door. The driver’s door trim has nothing but a gaping hole where a speaker used to be. Installing another speaker would not be difficult or expensive, but I expected better from a vehicle in this price range. I’ve also noticed an aftermarket oil pressure gauge that looks out of place. If I were to buy this classic, I would probably swap in a VDO unit because it would better suit the interior styling. Looking beyond the faults, the upholstered surfaces are tidy, the carpet is clean and free from wear and stains, and there are no issues with the dash or pad. On a long journey, the Momo timber wheel would feel nice under the driver’s hands.

It is easy to underestimate the importance of vehicles like the 1975 BMW 2002 and the part that cars of its type played in the development of the American automobile industry. When this car rolled off the showroom floor, domestic manufacturers were floundering through the early days of The Malaise Era. They struggled to produce cars that met tightening legislative requirements while providing a decent driving experience and good interior space. The BMW 2002 was one of the fleet of foreign imports that helped shine a light to guide those companies down a path that began to steer away from larger cars. Cars of its type demonstrated that it was possible to produce something that offered efficient packaging, decent performance, and excellent fuel economy. While American manufacturers initially struggled with the concept, it motivated them to build alliances with foreign manufacturers, paving the way for badge engineering to partially fill the void until they could develop their own unique offerings. Therefore, this 1975 BMW 2002 is worthy of ongoing preservation and care because it was one of the cars that can be credited with allowing American manufacturers to save themselves from extinction.