I am in the cafe at BMW Group Classic in Munich, so I thought that it would be appropriate to make my Pick of the Day a classic BMW. And with that in mind, I thought, Why not pick the model that is called “The Icon”: the 2002? But this is not just any 2002 – it is the higher-performance 2002tii model.
A shortened version of BMW’s Neue Klasse line that was launched in 1962, the 2002 was a hit almost from the start. BMW design director Wilhelm Hofmeister assigned the project to staffers Georg Bertram and Manfred Rennen. They created a now-iconic sporty car that was two inches shorter in wheelbase and 10 inches shorter in overall length than the Nueu Klasse cars. Bertram and Rennen accomplished this by shortening the rear deck. The car that became the first in the 02 series, the 1966 1600-2 was less luxurious than the Neue Klasse cars, but at the same time, it was a lighter, faster, and better-handling machine. This car was an immediate hit with automotive journalists and made Americans aware of the BMW brand.
BMW was not satisfied with the performance of the 1600-02 and immediately started developing a higher-performance version of the 02 cars. The first was the 2002, which increased the displacement of the engine from 1600cc to 2000cc, upping horsepower from 84 to 99. Still not satisfied, BMW then developed the 2002tii, which added fuel injection along with a more performance-tuned 2000cc engine with 128 horsepower.
It was not just engine performance that BMW addressed with the 2002tii; the car also received stiffer springs, front and rear anti-sway bars, larger 10-inch front disc brakes, and 5.0-inch-wide wheels. The 2002tii also received a closer-ratio four-speed gearbox, which had a 3.74 first gear (instead of the standard 3.84), a stronger clutch, and a longer 3.45 axle ratio (compared to 3.64) that increased the 2002tii’s top speed.
Our Pick of the Day is one of these cars: a 1972 BMW 2002tii located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The selling dealer describes this 2002tii as “a classic automobile that provides timeless performance.” It adds, “Known for its sleek design, sporty performance, and precision engineering the BMW 2002tii is a highly revered classic in the automotive world. This BMW is ready for a new owner to drive it home.”
This 2002tii is painted Agave Green over a correct tan vinyl interior. The paint looks to be in good condition. I can see no evidence of rust in the body or underneath the car. This is important as the 2002 does have a propensity to rust, as do all cars from this era.
The interior also looks quite clean and neat, with correctly colored vinyl seats and no other issues that I can see in the photos provided. The dash looks like it might have a single crack in it and the door cards are older, but none of them look bad for a driver-level 2002. The same goes for the carpeting. It is good to note that this car is also equipped with a sunroof, which is a desirable 2002 option.
Under the hood, this 2002tii looks exactly as it should. It is not sparkling clean, but it is also not a mess. I would describe it as tidy. I did not see any variation in parts used and according to the seller, the car runs well. This is important as the Kugelfischer fuel injection system requires an expert to properly adjust it. The key after that is to leave it alone as it simply works.
Over the last five or so years, the 2002 has increased in value quite a bit, with completely restored 2002tii cars selling for serious money. This car, with its asking price of only $27,999, represents not only a tremendous value, but also the kind of collector car that you can drive for years, experiencing what the 2002tii was all about. People call the 2002 “The Icon” for a reason and the tii version is the one to have – kind of like the S version of the early Porsche 911. So if you are looking for a seriously well-made, fun-to-drive, and historically important European sporting car, this 1972 BMW 2002tii completely fits the bill.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
