| A few years ago, a question on the
television game show Jeopardy elicited wrong answers from each of the
contestants. The question was "What do the letters BMW
represent?" Despite BMW’s present popularity, most people haven’t
a clue what those letter stand for. For the record, BMW means Bavarian
Motor Works. (In native language it’s Bayerische Motoren Werke, AG).
In the late 1950s they had exported to
the U.S. a few of their mini-cars, the Isetta and 600. But these were
little more than novelty vehicles in a land where giant fins and wild
paint schemes with two or three colors were the rule. A few V8
powered 507 sports cars made it here as well.
In the 1960s, BMW began a determined push
into the American car market. First, the 1500 series was released
in the compact market, and sales began to grow. Over the next few years,
new series with larger engine sizes were released. The 2000 series was
released in 1965 and offered both four-door sedan and coupe models.
America soon came to know BMW as a reliable and sporty compact with a
distinctly European flavor.
In the fall of 1967, the 2002 came to the
U.S. and it was greeted with healthy sales, but mixed reviews. Under the
hood of the 2002 was an in-line four-cylinder engine sporting 1990cc
(121.4 cid), and a rating of 100 hp at 5,000 rpm. Its cast-iron block
with aluminum heads and single overhead camshaft used a compression
ratio of 8.5:1 and created 123 lbs of foot torque at 3,000 rpm. The
performance version, the Ti, did not make it to our shores due to ever
tightening emission requirements. It added about 20 horsepower through
the use of a 9.3:1 compression ratio, and twin Solex carbs. Top speed
went from 100 mph to nearly 115 mph. The 2002 sits on a 98.4"
wheelbase and measures 166.5" from bumper-to-bumper. The rooftop
climbs to 55.5" and it weighs just a little over 2,070 lbs. Disc
brakes were used on the front wheels, while the rear wheels utilized
conventional drum brakes. Unusual for the day, suspension was
independent all-around. A list price of $2,750 was comparable to a
Mustang or Camaro with a six.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE
The base 2002 sedan was produced from
1968 to 1975 with only a few minor styling changes. In 1969, BMW's 2002
models imported into the U.S.A. were equipped with tachometers and an
upgraded interior with Saki fabric. In 1971 special alloy cast wheels
using five slots for venting the brakes were available and today these are
considered a big plus in stock restorations.
1971 also brought us the jewel in the
2002 BMW line-up, the Tii. It featured a German-designed
Kugelfischer fuel injection system, a compression ratio of 10.3:1, and a
horsepower rating of 130. The power to weight ratio was excellent at
about 16 lbs. per hp. A targa/convertible version, which was
actually a factory authorized conversion in Germany by Bauer, was also imported in 1971. It was based on the base 2002.
In Europe, the 2002Ti was replaced by the
2002-Turbo in 1973, with an advertised output of up to 170 hp from the
1,990 cc four-banger. The Turbo was never officially imported to
the states.
Starting in 1974, the federally mandated
5-mph rubber-backed bumpers adorned U.S. versions, as did other
"safety" features. All told, these added about 200
pounds to the weight of the car. Taillights went from round to
rectangular.
1976 was the last year of the 2002. The
convertible and Tii were gone and the base four got dual hemispherical
combustion chambers which helped with emissions and fuel efficiency in a
gas-conscious world.
Over the nine model year run a total of
339,084 2002 base models and 16,448 Ti versions were produced. 4,189
Cabriolets were converted by Baur and production for the Tii amounted to
7,451.
IDENTIFYING A 2002Tii
The most popular and sought after models
are those that wear the "Tii" badge. To help verify that you
have an authentic Tii, check the build plate located under the hood. On
the 1972 and 1973 models, the Tii used an unique tag with the model
identified on it, while the 1973 edition used a tag that showed
2002/2002Tii on it. For the '72 and '73 editions the id number prefix
starts with "276", going from 0001 to 4522. For 1974 the
prefix for the Tii models was 278, and they ran from 0001 to 2929.
Also be sure to check the VIN on the
steering column with the one under the hood to make sure they do match.
(Original engines also have the same VIN stamped on them back by the
starter mounting flange. Other items that denote original Tii
models are larger brakes (a 23 mm master cylinder vs. the 20mm unit), a
relocated alternator, beefed up suspension, and a clock.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
As good as these cars were, they aren’t
without faults. "They looked good on the street," says Les
Jackson, a Washington D.C. based auto writer who has experienced 2002's
at speed, "but their aerodynamics were rather poor. Above 75 mph
the wind buffeted them around quite a bit, making them a real thrill to
drive. One department where the 2002 was a champion," said
Jackson, "was in the area of body rust. Everything from the fenders
to the doors are very prone to returning to nature." Beside
the body panels, also check out the rear shock towers as they often
succumb to the elements. While looking at the shock towers in the trunk,
check out the spare tire storage well. On later model cars the floor
boards, especially under the front seats, should be thoroughly
inspected.
High mileage 2002 engines are perfect
candidates for at least a head rebuild or replacement. Also make sure
the fuel injection system is working properly on the Tii. When
test driving a BMW 2002 you may find that the synchros are rather notchy
between 2nd and 3rd. Generally these are robust gearboxes and
should be completely serviceable despite occasional grinding. |
