Price: SOLD | Visit the Bring a Trailer Auction
Mileage: 8,005 Indicated Miles (TMU)
Engine: Hot Rod M10 2-Liter 4-Cylinder Engine (<500 Miles)
Exterior color: Chamonix Exterior (085)
Interior: Black Cloth Interior
Additional features:
High Compression Paul Burke Internals (10.25:1)
Weber DCOE 40 Carburetors w/ Velocity Stacks
2002tii Exhaust Manifold and Ansa Sport Muffler
E21 G245 5-Speed Transmission
Slick-Top (no sunroof)
Complete Mechanical and Cosmetic Restoration
14-Inch Style 5 Basketweave Wheels
195/60R14 OHTSU FP7000 Tires
Colorado Car
Extensive Build / Restoration Detailed Below
The BMW 02 Series sedans were defining models for BMW. Smaller and lighter than the Neue Klasse sedans they were derived from, the 02 cemented its own legacy and set the stage for the legendary BMW 3 Series that followed. It was the lens through which a generation of Americans discovered BMW and passed down that enthusiasm to their children. Its simple, sporty three-box design has aged into an iconic form that is recognized far beyond the vestiges of the BMW enthusiast. The best 02 Series was the 2002, powered by the 2-liter version of the 4-cylinder M10 engine. That engine was mated to a chassis, suspension, and brakes that were unapologetically driver focused, yet all in a comfortable two-door sedan that you could drive you mother to church in. Rust, neglect, and age have taken their toll, but a loyal and fanatical following have ensured that a healthy population of 2002s remains compared to other cars of the period—a testament to how good the 2002 was. As time continues to march forward the 2002 has enjoyed notable appreciation, with sorted “roundie” taillight examples fetching the highest premiums.
This 1973 “roundie” Chamonix over a Recaro-style cloth interior is one of those examples. It has been extensively built and restored by an old-school BMW specialist and collector who I am selling it on consignment for. He lovingly built it for his daughter, an artist, who also made a silk-screen rendering that is included in the sale. It is in near concours condition, solidly a Hagerty Grade 2 car, and also upgraded with considerable performance modifications and desirable 2002 improvements. The owner started with the motor (less than 500 hundred miles ago), by boring the block out to fit 90 millimeter pistons and installing a polished crankshaft. In the process it received fresh Glycol main and rod bearings, sized and balanced rods, and fresh OEM rod bolts and nuts. Custom 10.25:1 high-compression pistons designed by Paul Burke were used under an E21 318i cylinder head. The head received fresh hardware, valve-train retainers, valve spring seats, a three-angle grind on the valves, rocker arm shafts, heavy-duty rocker arms, fresh dual valve springs (2002 outer, M30B35 inner), and a high-lift long-duration Paul Burke camshaft (a copy of the cam card is included). All engine rotational components were balanced and all timing components were replaced. Old school 2002 specialist Mark Hutto built and installed the head. The engine breathes through Dual Weber DCOE 40 Carburetors wearing 38 mm velocity stacks with screens and a Cannon intake manifold. It exhales through a 2002tii header and Ansa sport muffler. Spark comes from an Ireland Engineering electronic ignition distributor and an upgraded radiator handles cooling.
The original 4-speed transmission had been replaced with a 5-speed Getrag G245 from an E21 along with a fresh clutch and pressure plate, clutch slave cylinder, shortened and balanced driveshaft by the previous owner. It was all inspected when it was removed, along with fresh fluid and transmission and motor mounts. Power reaches the road through a 3.9:1 non-limited slip differential. The suspension consists of Bilstein sport shocks, front and rear strut braces, refreshed front suspension and both sway bar bushings over refinished 14-inch Style 5 basket weaves wearing 195/60 OHTSU FP7000 tires.
The exterior sheet metal was restored with a replacement OEM nose panel, spare tire well, windshield glass, and roof gutter moldings under a fresh coat of the original Chamonix color (085). Both the driver and passenger side doors were replaced during the exterior restoration. The driver’s door is a late-model 2002 door with the impact beam inside; the passenger side door is a 1974 door with no beam. There is no rust whatsoever. European flush mounted turn signals were fitted and the corner markers were deleted. H4 headlights and aftermarket fog lights are also installed, but the fog lights are not operable.
The interior was restored with a late-model single piece dashboard, redone headliner, Recaro style Flow Fit sport seats finished in black corduroy and the rear seats recovered to match. A period-correct Momo Prototipo steering wheel is fitted, along with an Eclipse CD player, and coolant temperature and oil pressure gauges. The door panels are original and the heater control valve was replaced, along with the speedometer cable. The original speedometer was replaced due to failed needle and trip odometer, but the main odometer worked when it was removed. It read 78,736 miles and the new odometer reads just over 7,500 miles, although we cannot confirm that was the actual original mileage. What we can confirm is that there is less than 500 miles on the restoration and motor build. The carpeted trunk floor panels were also restored.
In preparation for sale Mark Hutto balanced and fine-tuned the carburetors and gave it a fresh oil change with Castrol 20W-50 non-synthetic oil. As it sits it is a turn-key 2002 ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. It is equally at home at the local car show as it is on the open road—and it should be driven. It presents like a stock 2002 with subtle enhancements, but underneath it has significant performance upgrades putting at or above a 2002tii. *This is a real world reference compared to the 1972 Veronarot 2002tii in our sold listings—that motor came from the builder of this 2002.
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension, body stiffening, brakes, and wheels
Interior
Lighting
Body
The Chamonix paint is clean and presents very well. It was re-painted by the current owner. Overall the paint condition is very good. Even close examination reveals only minor imperfections. There are very light swirl marks and just a few minor chips and pits on the lower front spoiler. All trim is intact and in good condition; it is original, but matches the overall patina of the car well. The headlight, indicator, and brake light lenses are clear and crack-free. The windshield glass has no cracks, and the side window and rear glass are in good shape. The windshield wiper arms and inserts are in good condition; the speed fairing on the driver’s side wiper is present. The 14-inch basket weave wheels are nearly perfect, with only minor scratching from tire mounting. They have no bends or curb rash and the center caps are present with clear Roundel emblems. The OHTSU FP7000 tires have a lot of tread remaining.
The interior is in excellent shape. Open the door and you greeted by the perfect 2002 smell—classic vinyl with a hint of gasoline. The seats are nice Recaro style Flow Fit seats in very good condition. There are no odors—other than that wonderful 2002 smell—and it has never been smoked in. The carpet has no stains or tears. The front seats are in very good shape. The fore / aft, forward folding and recline functions all work correctly. The door cards are in excellent shape, with no scuffs, delamination, or missing trim bits. The “scissor” door handles are quintessentially classic BMW. The manual windows operate smoothly and quietly. The dashboard is clean, with the only a few minor cracks being in the parcel tray, out of view from where the driver is seated. The 3-spoke Prototipo steering wheel leather is in very good shape for its age, with no failed stitching. The original steering wheel is included with the sale and is also in good shape. All instruments function properly. The stereo works perfectly. The heat blows warm and all controls function correctly. The blower motor is quiet. The trunk flooring panels are present, as is the spare tire and jack underneath. Two sets of keys are included with the car.
The hot-rodded M10 fires on command on cold or hot starts. It idles smoothly and pulls strongly to redline. The Weber DCOE 40 carburetors, Cannon intake, and 2002tii headers allow the motor to take full advantage of Paul Burke high-compression pistons and camshaft, especially in the higher rev range. It is wonderfully smooth at all RPMs thanks to its balanced components. It runs cool even on hot summer days and the electronic ignition does not need the periodic adjustments that the original mechanical ignition did. The transmission shifts perfectly smooth and the shifter bushings are crisp and tight; the G245 is a fantastic upgrade over the stock 4-speed allowing lower RPMs during highway cruising. The clutch take-up is correct. The suspension is firm and compliant and the brakes are strong with plenty of pad thickness and rotor run-out remaining. There are no driveline or wheel bearing noises or vibrations. The Ansa Sport exhaust has a mildly aggressive note, but is perfectly civilized with no drone. As it sits, this is a turn-key 2002 ready to be enjoyed by its new owner. None of us would hesitate for a moment to drive it across country.
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