The car that inspired the popular Sport GT was the BMW Model 2002, sometimes referred to as the “02” series. In addition to that it was the BMW 2002 that really opened the door for BMW when it was struggling selling large luxurious cars motorcycles. Some say that BMW was on the verge of bankruptcy during the 1960’s and the 2002 Model and its performance derivatives are responsible for the performance reputation that BMW now enjoys.
BMW, formally Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, started post World War Two production in 1952. The BMW cars of the 1950’s included luxury automobiles, economy cars with motorcycle engines and motorcycles.
BMW’s 2002 Series
The BMW Model 2002 gained a lot of popularity being an automobile that satisfied some of the sports car buyers who really needed a small sedan. It was one of BMW’s most successful models.
The car featured in this article is a 1971 BMW 2002 ti. The BMW 2002’s were produced from 1968 to 1976. During it’s entire production run just under 402,000 of these vehicles were built. The car remained pretty much the same during it’s entire production run with only a few minor styling changes. The higher performance models were the 2002 ti, tii and turbos. It’s interesting to note that the performance tii models attained about 25 mpg, while the barely comparable performance American offerings of the day made about 10-15 mpg.
Body styles included a 2 door hardtop, a 2 door wagon/hatchback. a Baur Cabriolet with a removable centre roof panel and fold down canvas rear section and a convertible with a full folding canvas hardtop. The wagon/hatchback was produced from 1971 to 1975 and the convertible was introduced in 1971.
1971 BMW 2002 ti Specifications
The engine on the 1971 BMW 2002 ti was a Four Cylinder 1990 cc single overhead cam. The BMW 2002 ti model had twin Solex 40 carburetors. Top speed was rated at 115 MPH. The tii models had a Kugelfischer Fuel Injector system. Kugelfischer is a company with long experience in supplying injectors for BMW factory sedan racers.
The Turbo model came out in 1974 and that engine’s top speed was rated at 209 MPH.
Transmission was a Borg-Warner four or five speed manual with a ZF automatic as an option beginning in 1969.
The braking system included front wheel discs and rear wheel drums and the car had front and rear roll bars.
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A very good book on BMW’s New Class automobiles from the early 1960’s to the late 1970’s is...BMW 1500-2002 1962-1977: (Schiffer Automotive Series). The book contains excellent information regarding the BMW Series 2002 history. Another is …The Restorer’s Reference BMW 2002 1968-1976 by author James Taylor.
The 1971 BMW 2002 Collector Cars
The 1971 BMW’s make excellent collector cars and are relatively inexpensive to start a collection with. In fact, if you’re looking for a collector car at a very reasonable price that could also be a daily driver, then the Series 2002 could fit the bill.
The 2002 Series BMW’s had a blend of agility, style and power. In the U.S.: the single carb’ed, base 2002, and the sporty 2002tii. EPA standards at that time kept the ti model out of the U.S. In general, the BMW 2002 Series is held in high esteem by most collectors. It’s been written that the BMW 2002 Models are perhaps the “ultimate cult cars” because people buy them just to drive them.
Collectors and restorers should find parts fairly easy to find. BMW as of this writing reportedly has a good supply of parts.
Prices today will depend entirely on the actual mileage, condition of the vehicle and degree of restoration. Average asking prices as of this date seem to be in the $11,000 to $14,000 range. Higher end models will be in the $25,000 plus range. The BMW ti and tii performance models will be the higher priced models although the ti and tii models don’t come up for sale too often.
NADA sale prices for the tii models have tripled over the past few decades. You might expect asking prices under $10,000 for non restored models needing work with high mileage.
(Article and photos copyright 2014 AutoMuseumOnline)