Uncommon BMW 2002 Cabriolet up for public sale in Munich

The BMW 2002 is an iconic automobile, an originator of the model’s popularity because the “Final Driving Machine.” Constructed from 1968 to 1972, the landmark mannequin begat a long time of Bavarian sports activities sedans. Now, an instance of one of many rarest 2002 variants is developing for public sale in Munich.

Over 420,000 BMW 2002s had been made in complete, however the 1972 BMW 2002 Cabriolet being auctioned by RM Sotheby’s is one in all simply 200 constructed. Stuttgart’s Karosserie Baur was liable for the conversions, which had been initially finished with the 2002’s 1.6-liter predecessor, the BMW 1600-2. Baur’s partnership with BMW goes again to the Nineteen Fifties, and the automobiles had been formally bought by BMW sellers in Germany.

Nevertheless, Baur had plans to construct what they referred to as a High Cabriolet, which had a set body and pillars and a detachable roof part. In essence, it was a targa prime, besides Porsche owned the copyright to the Targa title. So when Baur converted to constructing 2002s in 1971, manufacturing of the total droptop continued for less than eight months earlier than the swap to the High Cabriolet. Over 2,300 of these had been made. As such, the true convertible 2002 Cabriolet is the rarest of the 02 sequence automobiles made by Baur. 

Although the motor made solely 99 horsepower, the 2002 weighs only a tad over 2,000 kilos. The stout M10 engine and its descendants would go on to energy generations of BMW automobiles, together with BMW’s Formulation 1 automobiles and endurance prototypes. With a totally unbiased suspension in any respect 4 corners at a time when most automobiles had been nonetheless strong axle, the 2002 proved to be a nimble, enjoyable to drive runabout.

Its styling was a part of the Neue Klasse designs that may inform every part from E9s to E28s to E30s. This household of automobiles was the primary to include the Hofmeister kink C-pillars as effectively, a design cue that is appeared on BMWs for practically 60 years now. Despite the fact that the Cabriolet is absent a C-pillar, the material prime nonetheless retains a touch of that dogleg form.

The yellow instance was accomplished on March 31, 1971. The present vendor, who owns a big BMW assortment, purchased it in 2015 and it has been on show since. Immaculate as it could be, it could be prudent for the subsequent purchaser to test the mechanicals completely earlier than driving it. The automobile has no reserve and is anticipated to promote between $51,000 and $72,000. Given the truth that the U.S. greenback is buying and selling extraordinarily favorably towards many currencies proper now, it could be the proper time so as to add this uncommon gem to your assortment. RM Sotheby’s Munich public sale begins November 26.