1974 BMW 2002tii Restomod on Carry a Trailer Appears to be like Able to Drive

• The BMW 2002 launched the model’s sport-sedan status, and the 2002tii mannequin is its final expression.
• This 1974 2002tii advantages from in depth work, a few of which moved the automobile away from inventory however ought to pay dividends in drivability.
• This Bring a Trailer auction ends August 31.

From the skin, there’s something extreme in regards to the restrained styling of a basic BMW 2002. This all-black instance manages to be nearly clerical in spirit, like a priestly cassock or nun’s behavior, all clasped palms and pious intent. However, as former Automobile and Driver editor David E. Davis, Jr. as soon as wrote, “Flip your hymnals to Quantity 2002 and we’ll sing two choruses of Whispering Bomb.” A 2002tii will not be for saints however for us speedy sinners.

At present’s decide over at Carry A Trailer—which, like Automobile and Driver, is a part of Hearst Autos—is a 1974 BMW 2000tii achingly lovely in black and chrome. Its subtlety and ease stand in stark distinction to the marque’s present lineup, which ranges from overwrought coupes to the XM SUV, the latter’s colossal twin grilles lending it an uncanny resemblance to Pumba from The Lion King.

A 2002 is as meerkat to the warthoggy XM: mild, elegant, deft. This nimble little automobile charmed the pants off Davis, to the extent that his 1968 evaluation of the 114-hp carburetted model stands as one of many nice automotive critiques of all time.

“To my mind-set, the 2002 is one in every of trendy civilization’s all-time greatest methods to get someplace sitting down. It grabs you.”

The tii suffix on this 1974 2002 signifies additional zip underneath the hood, because of Kugelfisher mechanical gasoline injection. So-equipped, the fizzy little 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is sweet for 125 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, rasping its merry tune out of a stainless-steel exhaust. It is paired with a five-speed handbook from a later automobile and a limited-slip rear differential. Testing a 2002tii, Automobile and Driver‘s Patrick Bedard, wrote:

Regardless of the way you strive, you possibly can’t assist however prefer it. It’s the essence of motoring fact: no strobe stripes, no phony teardrop racing mirrors, no triple turret taillights. Simply finely honed equipment within the easiest metal and glass case. And it really works. It handles—with the agility of a professional flanker again—and the fuel-injected engine could make the parson breathe exhausting.

Being a 1974, this instance has the sq. taillights of the later 2002 fashions; fans of the breed might argue that the sooner spherical taillights are slightly prettier (though the sooner chrome bumpers have been retrofitted). Mere quibbling, because the automobile is so well-sorted. Recaro seats and a Nardi shift knob and three-spoke steering wheel improve a clear and spartan cockpit. Bilstein shocks and 13-inch Gotti wheels hold the footwork mild and energetic.

Loads of current servicing has been carried out by the earlier proprietor, together with a brand new aluminum radiator, gasoline and water pumps, and varied bits of the ignition system. The chrome steel exhaust can be new and may present a superb soundtrack for a weekend’s backroad flogging.

Which, ought to you might have the profitable bid on this beautiful 2002tii, is virtually a commandment.

Contributing Editor

Brendan McAleer is a contract author and photographer based mostly in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British vehicles, got here of age within the golden period of Japanese sport-compact efficiency, and started writing about vehicles and folks in 2008. His explicit curiosity is the intersection between humanity and equipment, whether or not it’s the racing profession of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught each of his younger daughters shift a handbook transmission and is grateful for the excuse they supply to be perpetually shopping for Scorching Wheels.