From the surface, there’s something extreme in regards to the restrained styling of a basic BMW 2002. This all-black instance manages to be virtually clerical in spirit, like a priestly cassock or nun’s behavior, all clasped palms and pious intent. However, as former Automotive and Driver editor David E. Davis, Jr. as soon as wrote, “Flip your hymnals to Quantity 2002 and we’ll sing two choruses of Whispering Bomb.” A 2002tii will not be for saints however for us speedy sinners.
In the present day’s decide over at Carry A Trailer—which, like Automotive and Driver, is a part of Hearst Autos—is a 1974 BMW 2000tii achingly lovely in black and chrome. Its subtlety and ease stand in stark distinction to the marque’s present lineup, which ranges from overwrought coupes to the XM SUV, the latter’s colossal twin grilles lending it an uncanny resemblance to Pumba from The Lion King.
A 2002 is as meerkat to the warthoggy XM: gentle, elegant, deft. This nimble little automobile charmed the pants off Davis, to the extent that his 1968 overview of the 114-hp carburetted model stands as one of many nice automotive critiques of all time.
“To my mind-set, the 2002 is one in all fashionable civilization’s all-time greatest methods to get someplace sitting down. It grabs you.”
The tii suffix on this 1974 2002 signifies additional zip below the hood, because of Kugelfisher mechanical gasoline injection. So-equipped, the fizzy little 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is sweet for 125 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, rasping its merry music out of a stainless-steel exhaust. It is paired with a five-speed handbook from a later automobile and a limited-slip rear differential. Testing a 2002tii, Automotive and Driver’s Patrick Bedard, wrote:
Irrespective of the way you attempt, you’ll be able to’t assist however prefer it. It’s the essence of motoring reality: no strobe stripes, no phony teardrop racing mirrors, no triple turret taillights. Simply finely honed equipment within the easiest metal and glass case. And it really works. It handles—with the agility of a professional flanker again—and the fuel-injected engine could make the parson breathe onerous.
Being a 1974, this instance has the sq. taillights of the later 2002 fashions; fans of the breed might argue that the sooner spherical taillights are slightly prettier (though the sooner chrome bumpers have been retrofitted). Mere quibbling, because the automobile is so well-sorted. Recaro seats and a Nardi shift knob and three-spoke steering wheel improve a clear and spartan cockpit. Bilstein shocks and 13-inch Gotti wheels hold the footwork gentle and full of life.
Loads of current servicing has been carried out by the earlier proprietor, together with a brand new aluminum radiator, gasoline and water pumps, and varied bits of the ignition system. The stainless-steel exhaust can be new and will present a superb soundtrack for a weekend’s backroad flogging.
Which, ought to you’ve the profitable bid on this beautiful 2002tii, is virtually a commandment.
Contributing Editor
Brendan McAleer is a contract author and photographer primarily based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British vehicles, got here of age within the golden period of Japanese sport-compact efficiency, and started writing about vehicles and folks in 2008. His specific curiosity is the intersection between humanity and equipment, whether or not it’s the racing profession of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught each of his younger daughters learn how to shift a handbook transmission and is grateful for the excuse they supply to be perpetually shopping for Sizzling Wheels.