Description
To be offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions at The Silverstone Classic Sale 2019 to be held at The Wing Building, Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom, NN12 8TN from July 26, 2019 to July 28, 2019. Guide price: £28000 - £32000. The 1970's icon that began the sports saloon crazeA desirable 'roundie' taillight versionUK-supplied, right-hand drive, original registration number The last owner bought the car 27 years ago from marque specialists Jaymic and oversaw a full, ground-up documented restoration between 1991-1996Properly set up 'Kugelfischer' injection system Many original features, drives and performs extremely wellAs early as 1963 there had been discussions about a new and smaller BMW. With the ‘Neue Klasse’ doing the business in the executive market, BMW repeated the trick in the small saloon sector with its ’02 series models, designed as a lighter, sportier short wheelbase two-door model. BMW certainly saved the best ‘02 until last with a model called the ‘2002 Tii’. Launched in 1971, the high performance 2002 Tii used the same, elegant bodyshell of its two-door relations, but was differentiated by having its 2-litre M10-series engine fitted with a mechanical ‘Kugelfischer’ injection pump with injectors capable of delivering a very healthy 130bhp, ensuring it could crack 120 mph on the autobahn and drive sideways on the merest whiff of throttle! The Tii also has a larger twin air filter cylinder box and an uprated alternator. The chassis is that of the two-carburettor '2002 Ti' uprated with stiffer springs, front and rear anti-roll bars, larger front disc brakes, and wider wheels. In the driveline, the Tii has a slightly closer ratio, 4-speed gearbox, a stronger clutch, and a longer axle ratio to increase top speed. Production of the Tii ceased in 1975 (when the first generation E21 3-Series took over) and according to the Tii Register, 44, 478 examples were produced – with just 3, 678 examples in right-hand drive. The car presented here is one of those 3, 678 RHD examples, being a UK-supplied 1973 BMW 2002 Tii finished in striking Golf Yellow; it is also an earlier round taillight, non-sunroof example – in all, making it possibly the rarest and most desirable iteration of the naturally aspirated 2002s. Back in 1991, the car was bought as a project by a Mr Goodwin of Lancashire, a real BMW enthusiast, from the marque specialists ‘Jaymic Ltd.’ of Norfolk. He then set about a ground-up restoration, with the body shell stripped, sandblasted, welded as required and protectively painted. Many originals parts/ features were retained and recommissioned, with some new panels required, whilst the engine was fully reconditioned. This thorough project was completed in 1996 with Mr Goodwin then ensuring that his highly-prized BMW attended numerous classic car shows and BMW Car Club (GB) events, whilst always being serviced annually by a local BMW specialist. Due to a change in circumstances, Mr Goodwin decided to sell his car after 28 years of ownership, and it was purchased by our vendor only recently. He just couldn’t resist it, knowing of its fine provenance, and bought it on somewhat of a whim, being a serial 2002 owner! However, space and time are at a premium, and now this delightful BMW must find an owner who can enjoy it to the full. The car now displays some pleasant patina after its restoration, with Waxoyl still present and doing its job (as seen in the images of the inner arches and boot), with the seats recently benefitting from a quality re-trim. The car drives and performs extremely well, with all the attributes associated with the model. Reliable, easy to maintain, and fun to drive, the 2002 Tii is revered by enthusiasts as one of BMW’s all-time greats.
