Price: SOLD
Mileage: 60,150 Miles (TMU)
Engine: M10 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder Paul Burke Engine
Transmission: G240 5-Speed Manual Transmission
Exterior color: Fjord Exterior
Interior: Saddle Brown/Houndstooth Leather Interior
VIN: 4281740
Additional features:
87mm 2.5-Liter S14 Crank
10.25:1 High Compression Pistons
A41 Custom Cam by Imagineering
E21 318i Cylinder
Weber DCOE 45 Dual-Barrell Carburetors w/ Velocity Stacks
Bosch HP Red Coil
Super Sprint Style “Tri-Y” Headers
Scorpion Exhaust
3:91 Limited-Slip Differential
Bilstein Sport Shocks
H&R/Ebach Springs
Metric Mechanic Front Sway Bar
Suspension Dynamics Rear Sway Bar (19mm)
Refreshed Control Arms, Subframe Mounts, Trailing Arms
E21 320i Vented Front Discs/Volvo Calipers
E21 320i 250mm Rear Drums
Nardi 3-Spoke Steering Wheel
Wooden BMW Shift Knob
Pioneer Stereo
Custom Door Speaker Surrounds
Fresh Carpet Kit
Crack-Free Dashboard
Slicktop (no sunroof)
Battery Re-Location/Rear Strut Brace
15” Panasport Wheels
Dunlop Durezza DZ102 Tires
Old-School Roof Rack
Hella Foglights
3-Owner Colorado Car
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 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 your mother to church in. Rust, neglect, and age have taken their toll, but a loyal and fanatical following has ensured that a healthy population of 2002s remains compared to other cars of the period—a testament to how good the 2002 is.
This 1974 Fjord Blue over Saddle Brown and Houndstooth hotrod 2002 is not your typical square taillight car. It checks off of the boxes of what a late-model 2002 should be! The M10 engine is a Paul Burke variety with an 87mm 2.5-liter S14 crank, 10.25:1 high compression pistons, an A41 Imagineering custom camshaft in an E21 318i cylinder head. It breaths through DCOE 45 dual-barrel carburetors with velocity stacks and exhales through Super Sprint style “tri-Y” headers and a Scorpion exhaust. That power is routed through a G240/5 five-speed gearbox and a 3:91 limited-slip differential. The suspension is upgraded with Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R/Ebach sport springs, Metric Mechanic front sway bar, Suspension Dynamics rear sway bar, refreshed control arms, subframe mounts, and trailing arms. Stopping is accomplished by E21 320i vented front discs under Volvo calipers and E21 320i 250mm rear drums. The battery has been relocated to the trunk in a rear strut brace. The interior has been restored with a refreshed carpet kit, crack-free dashboard, refinished seats in Saddle Brown leather with Houndstooth inserts, a Nardi three-spoke wooden steering wheel and matching wooden BMW shift knob, oil pressure and pressure gauges, and a Pioneer stereo with custom door speakers. The exterior features an older re-paint in the original Fjord Blue, Hella foglights, an old-school roof rack, and 15-inch Panasport wheels with Dunlop Durezza DZ102 tires.
The known ownership goes back to the original purchase when a local woman purchased it here in Colorado in 1974. Eventually, she handed it down to her son, and he restored it to its current form. The majority of the work happened in the late-2000s with the help of local 2002 specialist Mark Hutto. The paintwork was completed by SVE Autobody, and Hutto accomplished the mechanicals. That owner bequeathed it to Hutto when he fell terminally ill. Hutto eventually sold it to another local 2002 enthusiast and Glen Shelly regular, who kept it for the next decade. He added the roof rack, fog lights, and re-finished the interior. Hutto continued to maintain the car under his tenure. We purchased it from him earlier this year due to a move out of state and are proud to have it at the hangar. As it sits, it’s one of the best 2002s in the country. It’s faster than a 2002tii, more reliable, and easier to maintain. The 5-speed gearbox, limited-slip differential, and upgraded brakes optimize the increased power, and make it usable in the modern world. Fjord Blue is a quintessential 2002 color, which looks fantastic in concert with the aesthetic upgrades. It’s priced a fraction of what it would cost to build, adding considerable value to its new owner. Issues consist of a few leaks and seeps, some fine tuning depending on your elevation, and small areas of rust in the lower door sills, rear trunk panel, and previous rear shock tower preventative repairs. We’d like to find a new owner who will appreciate and care for it through the next chapter of its story.
The Fjord Blue paint is in excellent condition, indicative of an older re-finish. Close scrutiny does reveal faint imperfections in the form of light swirling, a few sporadic rock chips on the lower front valance, and several scratches. The windshield, rubber moldings, trim, and other exterior ancillaries are in good to excellent condition. There are a few areas of minor rust in the lower door sills, along the upper portion of the rear trunk panel, and at the welds of a previous shock-tower preventative replacement. None need immediate attention and could be addressed for a few thousand dollars. The windshield is crack-free and in great shape. The other glass around the car is very nice, 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 headlights are excellent, with no cracks or pitting, and the “Frenchie” fog lights look amazing. The turn signals and taillights are also exceptional. The 15-inch Panasport wheels are perfect; they are wearing Dunlop Durezza DZ102 tires with good tread remaining, but older DOT dates.
The Saddle Brown and Houndstooth interior is in excellent condition. Open the door, and you are greeted with that lovely 2002 smell. The carpet is in excellent condition thanks to being recently replaced. The headliner does not sag, but the sun visors are puffy. There is no sunroof to leak—which they always do. The door cards are very nice and feature large speaker upgrades. The dashboard is crack-free and in great shape. The 3-spoke Nardi steering wheel is in excellent condition. The horn works. All instruments function correctly, and the oil pressure and temperature gauges are nice additions. The turn signal relay is operative, and the light flashes correctly. The wipers, wiper speed, and turn signals work correctly. The later model 2002s with the left side turn signal stalk are very user-friendly. The windshield washer system functions, but the nozzles are temperamental. The heat blows warm, and the blower functions correctly. The modern stereo is a nice touch, and sounds great through the upgraded speakers. The wooden shift knob has some patina, but is a nice compliment to the steering wheel. The seats are nearly perfect thanks to being re-finished. The removable trunk panels are in good shape. Underneath the spare tire and jack are present. Several keys are included with the sale, along with a handful of spare parts.
The M10 engine fires on command and settles into a nice idle. Once it’s warmed up, it absolutely rips. It’s one of the fastest 2002s we’ve had, singing a beautiful melody of intake and exhaust noise. It is tuned slightly rich, which is complimentary to full-throttle excursions. The engine loves to be revved and is hungry for more throttle at moderate throttle input, but it does not affect drivability. This could be tuned to the next owner’s driving style by any competent Weber specialist. There are slight seeps from the engine, but nothing requiring immediate attention. The 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly, and the shifter bushings are crisp and tight. The clutch take-up is smooth, and it does not slip. The steering is very tight for a 2002, without the dead spot on-center or any excessive play. The suspension is an excellent improvement, flattening cornering without compromising the original ride quality. The upgraded brakes are strong, with plenty of pad thickness and rotor run-out remaining. There is a slight vibration under light braking, but it is negligible. There are no excessive driveline or wheel bearing noises or vibrations. We look forward to finding its new owner and starting the next chapter of its story.
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