In the late 1950's and Early 1960's BMW was struggling.

They produced some beautiful luxury cars such as the classic 507 and some homely but practical economy cars that sold well in immediate post-war Europe (the Isetta, 600 and 700; the latter being much more of a standard car).

However, the company had no car positioned to sell to the mid-range buyer in a time when Europe's economy was beginning to take off after the war.
 
As early as 1963 there had been discussions about a new and smaller BMW. Thoughts began to focus on a short wheelbase two-door version of the New Class saloon. This plan had particular merit because it would help to re-establish the sporting image that BMW had enjoyed in the 1930's but it had never recaptured since. The shorter wheelbase would bring handling advantages while the lighter body would improve performance, and of course the two-door configuration would look more sporting than the four-door New Class type. The two-door model did not take long to design. The New Class wheelbase was shortened from 100.4 inches to 98.4 inches, Wilhelm Hofmeister restyled the passenger cabin to suit, and the front of the car was given a minor facelift. Most of the running gear came directly from the existing four-door saloons, although there was a narrow track rear axle, which made front and rear tracks equal on the two-door model. The decision was made to launch the car with the 1,573cc "1600" engine and, decided to call it the 1600-2. The additional figure 2 standing for its two doors and distinguishing it from the four-door 1600 saloon. The 1600-2 was announced in March 1966 and was immediately acclaimed as a winner. The lighter body made the car nearly as fast as the 1800 sedan, while the excellent handling added a sporting ingredient which was lacking in the larger car. The motoring press was unable to resist comparisons with Alfa Romeo's sports cars, which suited BMW's needs perfectly. At the Frankfurt Motor show in autumn 1967, they announced an even more sporting version - the 1600ti - with a 105 hp twin carburetor engine. And by this stage BMW were already considering the possibility of giving their two-door vehicle yet another engine in the shape of a 2-litre relative of the 1600ti's four cylinders. Not long after the 1600-2 was announced, Alex von Falkenhausen had a 2-litre engine dropped into an example of the car for his own use. Completely independently, BMW's Planning Director Helmut Werner Bonsch had exactly the same conversion carried out for his car. Neither man knew of the other's car until one day in mid - 1967 when both cars were in the workshops together at BMW. Both were enthusiastic about their 2-litre two-doors, and between them decided to put a formal proposal to the BMW Board that such a model should be considered for production.

 
 

Their cause was greatly helped by developments in the USA. BMW had never meant very much in that market before the mid-1960's, and the marque had been imported only in small numbers. The company was well aware of the value of sales success in such a large market, and until this point had not had a model which appealed to American customers. In 1966, all that changed. The new two-door 1600-2 model received rave reviews in the American motoring press, and all of a sudden sales started to gather momentum. Wanting to capitalize on this success, importer Max Hoffman urged the Bavarians to let him have another model in the same vein, and preferably one with even more performance. The only model in that range was the 1600ti. Unfortunately, the twin-carburetor engine could not be made to meet the new Federal exhaust emissions regulations, and so it could not be sold in the good old US of A. However, the 100hp 2-litre engine in the 2000 coupe had been made to meet the regulations. The solution was simple. BMW Sales Director Paul Hahnemann was well aware of the US market requirement, and so he supported the proposal for a 2-litre version of the two-door car. Despite opposition from Chief Development Engineer Bernhard Osswald and Production Director Wilhelm Heinrich Gieschen, the sales argument won the day and the 2002 was born. There were three distinct "generations" of the BMW 2002 range during its eight and a half year production life. The first generation cars were built between 1968 and 1971. The second generation, or model 71, cars were built between 1971 and 1973. And the third generation, or model 73, cars were built between 1973 and the end of production in 1976. Within each of those generations, the 2002 range was further subdivided into a variety of different models. And here in the US, the position was even more complicated: changing legislation here obliged BMW to build Model 74, Model 75, and model 76 vehicles, all with certain differences from one another. 		 

For news and events go to...


..
 
Brooklands 2000 gathering.

For a number of reasons there were fewer 02’s this year, and this is in spite of there being a lot more interest and enquiries about the event. The quality of the 02’s that did make it was excellent. I think somewhere between 40-50 02’s is the nearest estimate as neither myself or Richard had time to count them.

  
 
 
A full list of concours winners is at the end of this article, but John Campbell’s fabulous Blue 2002 Tii warrants some additional mention. We published some photographs in last month’s magazine. Well I have to say that having seen the car; the photos did not do it justice especially the grey leather trim. A richly deserved concours win. Some other cars warrant some cover even if they didn’t win any awards.

Don’t forget our concours is not like the ordinary events as it is purely judged by everyone who attends, so this is your choice. It’s a very simple system and has caused us no problem over the eleven years we have been running it, and I’m sure that one or two of you must nearly have a full set of pistons now.

I must thank Collin Gallie for coming all the way down from Scotland and brining JES 96P out for a run. In case you are not aware "JES" is a fabulous white box arched M3 engined 02. It has been about since North Weald in 1988, although not with the M3 engine then. In fact North Weald was I think its first outing and Collin’s first concours prize. There were some other notable 02s. One particularly nice Maroon early 1602. If you know who it belongs to please tell them to get in touch. There were a couple of very tidy 02 Tourings as well as a few Targa Cabriolets especially PYW 4L a Colorado Targa Cabriolet, one of the original press fleet and I think that it was for sale?.

The concours winner was a Red Targa YJI 2002, another car we have no details of on the Register so we have not been able to award the much coveted ‘Jaymic Polished Piston’. So once again please get in touch. Last but by no means least was John Appleby in the only Turbo that made an appearance. He has made the journey from Jersey and very profitable it turned out for John and that’s not just the concours award. His trip was well worth the effort. There were quite a few bargains to be had .There was a lot more auto humble than we have had before and it seemed to be very popular so if this is something you want more of, let us know. Don’t forget OKTOBERFEST @ GAYDON is holding an auto jumble on the Saturday 14/15th October 2000. Richard and I had a very busy day taking to lots of people, meeting old friends and making new ones. Richard spoke to David Evans of Classic & Sports Car. He is now a confirmed 02 enthusiast and is well and truly bitten by the bug. Watch the magazine for his progress. I spent quite some time talking to Jeremy Walton, a very knowledgeable and notable BMW author. He was covering our event for BMW Car Club of America (Roundel) and was very enthusiastic about our Brooklands event so watch this space. Thanks to Jeremy for supplying the photos and captions.

Colin Wilkinson from BMW Car also made an appearance but not with either of his two Tii’s but he has promised the appearance of at least one this year either Gaydon or Donnington. So if either Richard or myself did not get around to talking to you it is because there wasn’t enough time. Many apologies to all who tried and failed to get to us or only had half a conversation before we got called somewhere else – maybe we need more help!!! Any offers??? The Coupe Register made a splendid show with some lovely M6s, 635, 3.0.CSL and 2000 CS in attendance. Keep up the good work Howard Walker, who was responsible for the start of this latest Register within the Car Club. The Z Register also attended as did some of the M Power Section who also helped us marshal the Test Hill. This provided some amusement for all again this year. Luke Deacon in his very ‘airy’ and lightweight Tii racer enjoyed himself no end. But not everyone was amused! Bob Nicholls, the other Tii race car had severe ground clearance problems so couldn’t take his car up. We managed to get a lovely BMW Alpina B9 up the hill. All in all the hill was a lot of fun. Thanks to St Johns Ambulance brigade whose attendance makes it possible. Anyone out there who took photos we would love to see them. Eamon O’Brien our set up and dismantling specialist and who was busy all day.My wife Louise without whose persistence we wouldn’t have had a raffle, nor sold any tickets. She also spent all day manning our tent. Then come our intrepid trio of Test Hill Marshals. Rob Lynham, Richard Baxter, John Plunkett who along with Richard and Eamon made it possible, because without the marshals in their new ‘fetching orange tabards’ there would have been no Test Hill. I really must have a go, I’ve just seen a video of last year’s hill and it looked great fun. I must also remember the tannoy next year. Guess who had a sore throat the next day? Everyone had a good day (see letter page for comments). Brooklands Museum has expanded its exhibition since last year and is continually upgrading to make the attraction a very special day out.

 

Thank you to our sponsors:

Jaymic (although not in attendance helped our raffle quite considerably,
as well as sponsoring the much sort after Polished Piston trophies

ALPINA

BMW Car Club

Classic Motor

Footman James Insurance

Whitehouse BMW Dealer (Ruxley)

Zymol UK

Practical Classics

Cooks Ferry Engineering

Brooklands Museum Trust

RAC Motor Sports Association

John Drake – Models

David Leake – Books

Ed Davila, USA Bay Area

And anyone else we have forgotten.



CONCOURS WINNERS

Best 1502/1602/1802: Reg. RGP 789R Pat Tremain

Best 2002: Reg. FRD 196L Alan Blowers

Best 2002 tii: Reg. TBZ 2002 John Campbell

Best 2002 Cabriolet: Reg. YJI 2002 ?????

Best 2002 Touring: Reg. FHH 107K ?????

Best 2002 Turbo: Reg. J5 2002 John Appleby

P.Tremain /Richard Stern.



Other Interesting '02 Websites

Personal Site of Chairman: www.bmw2002.co.uk
www.2002haus.com
www.jaymic.com
www.2002ad.com
www.bmwlinks.com
www.bmwcs.com/club_02.html
www.bmw2002.org.uk
www.bayarea02.com
www.bmw02club.nl
www.bimmers.com/02
www.uucdigest.com
www.bmw2002.com
http://02parts.cjb.net
www.2002restorations.com
www.kormanfastbmw.com
www.2002parts.com/index.html
www.2002.ne.jp
www.2002bmw.com
www.houston-bmwcca.com/02/index.html
http://chroma.med.miami.edu/~idickers/M2002.html
www.bmwseries.com/2002.html

 



'02 Register Subscription Subscription to "02 Register" (You must be a BMWCCGB Member): For more details, please contact the Club Office or call 01225 709009. In case of any problems with the functionality of this page, please contact the '02 Register Chairman.
 
Design by MIWS ....