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Exterior photo of 1973 BMW 2002tii

1973 BMW 2002tii

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Details

Price: SOLD

Mileage: 74,316 Miles

Engine: M10 2-Liter 4-Cylinder Engine

Transmission: 4-Speed Manual Transmission

Exterior color: Fjord Blue Metallic Exterior (037)

Interior: Blue Cloth Interior

VIN: 2763194

Additional features:

Electronic Ignition

E21 320 3-Spoke Sport Steering Wheel

Mushroom Shift Knob

Coco Floor Mats

Recaro E21 320 Sport Seats

Progressive Sport Springs

Bilstein HD Shocks

Sunroof

Chrome Bumpers

H4 Headlights

Shaved Marker Lights (Euro Style)

ANSA Exhaust

15-Inch Alpina Replica Wheels

Dunlop Direzza DZ101 Tires

Extensive Cosmetic / Mechanical Restoration

2013 Colorado Concours d’Elegance 1st Place Winner Pre-1979 Class

Extensive Documentation

Colorado Car

Background

1973 BMW 2002tii exterior photo

The BMW 02 Series sedans were defining models for BMW. Smaller and lighter than the Neue Klasse sedans they were derived from, the 02 set the stage for the stalwart BMW 3 Series. It was the lens through which a generation of Americans discovered BMW and passed down that enthusiasm to their children. The best of the 02 Series was the 2002, powered by the 2-liter version of the 4-cylinder M10 engine, and the best of the 2002s was the “tii”—Touring Injected International. The 2002tii was a pure driver’s car with everything that you needed and nothing that you didn’t. At its release in 1972, Car and Driver called it “…the essence of motoring truth: no strobe stripes, no phony teardrop racing mirrors, no triple turret taillights. Just finely honed machinery in the simplest steel and glass case.” Some forty years later, those words have only become more relevant as BMW has shifted from a driver’s brand to a technology brand. The 2002tii improved upon the regular 2002 with upgraded suspension, brakes, and different gearing, but at its heart was a hot 130-horsepower fuel injected version of the M10 engine. That “finely honed machinery” produced plenty of buttery torque down low, but screamed above 4000 rpms in a way few cars could match. It was capable of 55 mph in second gear (indicated by the maximum speed-per-gear ticks on the speedometer) and a top speed of 115 mph—all in a simple, comfortable, innocuous two-door sedan that you could drive you mother to church in.

Summary

 exterior photo

This 1973 Fjord Blue over Blue Cloth 2002tii is one of the finest tii’s we had at Glen Shelly. It has been extensively restored in its original Fjord Blue Metallic color with a matched Blue cloth interior featuring Recaro E21 320i sport seats and matched rear seats. Other highlights include a factory sunroof, shaved marker lights (Euro-style), an E21 320i 3-spoke sport steering wheel, progressive sport springs (unknown brand), Bilstein HD shocks, an ANSA exhaust, and 15-inch Alpina replica wheels. From 2009 through 2012 it underwent an extensive bare-metal restoration building it into its current form. The following year, it won first place at the 2013 Colorado Concours d’Elegance in the Pre-1979 class. According to BMW’s archives, its manufacture date was December 21, 1972 and it was delivered to BMW in Schafbrucke, DE on January 2, 1973. Shortly thereafter it was imported via Max Hoffman to the United States. It was reportedly bequeathed from the original owner to their grandson in 2004, who then brought it to Bavarian Autohaus in Denver to be repaired. The grandson could not afford the repairs, so the owner of Bavarian Autohaus bought it and kept it for several years, bringing it up to par. Then in 2008 he sold it to his brother who completed the restoration and who we are selling it on consignment for. The mileage is reportedly original, which is plausible based on the story and condition of the mechanical items that were not restored, but we don’t have documentation beyond 2004 to substantiate that.

The restoration was extensive, with thousands of dollars receipts detailing individual parts. The final total of the body and paintwork was well north of five figures. A decade later its condition remains exceptional, with just a few imperfections detailed below. During the restoration, many mechanical items were done, including the entire front end, brakes, clutch hydraulics, fuel system and hoses, cooling system, shifter assembly, transmission seals, and exhaust. After enjoying it for the better part of the decade, the current owner brought it to us to sell. In preparation for sale, we completely re-rigged and tuned the Kugelfischer fuel system, replaced the fuel injector lines, set and tuned the timing and CO, and cleaned up the engine bay wiring and vacuum lines. Then we replaced the clutch, re-surfaced the flywheel, and repaired the turn signal stalk. As it sits, it is a fine example of a 2002tii in a desirable color combination, in exceptional condition, and with stout documentation. This is an investment-grade 2002tii that can also be enjoyed—as it should be. We’d like to find a new owner who will steward it for the next chapter of its story.

Exterior

1973 BMW 2002tii exterior photo

The Fjord Blue paint is in excellent condition; it was a bare-metal glass-out paint job. There are no overly glaring defects; there is a small spot of touch-up right in front of the driver’s side of the trunklid and a handful of light scratches, but nothing that easily catches the eye. All exterior trim is intact and in good condition, with most of it being replaced during the restoration. The front bumper has an excellent finish with no bends or waves; the rear bumper has some oxidation, with minor bends at the side mounting points. All trim is intact and in good condition. The windshield is crack-free and not pitted; the other glass around the car is in very nice shape, with no deep scratches or notable pitting. The windshield wiper arms and inserts are in good condition; the speed fairing on the driver’s side wiper is present. The Hella H4 headlights are clear and crack free, with only very minor pitting. The turn signals and taillights are exceptional, with the only gripe being one small hairline crack on the lower edge of the passenger side taillight. The 15-inch Alpina replica wheels are in excellent condition with no curb rash or notable scratches; they perfectly complement this 2002’s styling and stance. They are wearing Dunlop Direzza DZ101 tires with good tread, but they do have 2012 DOT dates.

Interior

 interior photo

The Blue cloth interior is in very good condition. Open the door and you are greeted with that lovely 2002 smell; there are no offensive odors. The carpet is in good shape, with no staining or notable high-wear areas. The headliner was replaced during the restoration with OEM material, but it was not the best job. The sunroof handle recess slot was not installed. It does not sag, but there is some separation at the C-pillars and the sunroof panel. The sun visors are also a bit puffy. The door cards are nice; they have a little bit of overspray from poor masking when refinishing the chrome trim. The dashboard is very presentable, with no cracks that are glaring in the driver’s field of vision; there are two small cracks near the driver’s A-pillar, a larger crack beneath the seatbelt warning display, and a handful of small splits in the parcel tray. The 3-spoke E21 sport steering wheel has no failed stitching and some minor wear. The horn is operational. All instruments function correctly. The high beam witness light in the cluster is INOP. The wipers, wiper speed, turn signals and blower motor work correctly. The windshield washer system and rear defroster are INOP. The heat blows warm and the blower motor is quiet. There is no stereo, but would just be a distraction from the sound of that M10 screaming through the ANSA exhaust. The shift knob is clean with only minor wear. The Recaro E21 sport seats are in excellent shape, as are the rear seats. The removable trunk panels are in good shape. Underneath the spare tire, the jack and tool kit are present. One key is included with the sale.

Mechanical

 engine photo

The M10 fires on command on cold and hot starts. It idles smoothly and pulls very strongly (once it’s warmed up, of course). It sounds amazing when doing so. There is a slight rattle in the ANSA exhaust that goes away once it is heated up. There is a very slight oil seep that will leave a small spot if it sits for a long period. The 4-speed transmission shifts perfectly smooth and the shifter bushings are crisp and tight. The clutch take-up is smooth and it does not slip; we replaced it in preparation for sale. The steering has the typical feel of a 2002 steering box, but it does not have excessive play or the “dead spot” that is common in so many 2002s. The Bilstein suspension is an excellent improvement, flattening cornering without compromising the original ride quality. The brakes are strong with plenty of pad thickness and rotor run-out remaining. There is a little slop in the brake pedal linkage There are no excessive driveline or wheel bearing noises or vibrations. None of us would hesitate to drive it across country. We look forward to finding its new owner and starting the next chapter of its story.