Chassis No. 2572059

Engine No. 2572059

With its lively single-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine, disc brakes, independent suspension, and handsome styling, the BMW 1600 played a key role in reviving the sporting image the Bavarian marque had enjoyed before World War II. Introduced in 1966, the compact sedan quickly drew calls for more power, not least from U.S. importer Max Hoffman, leading to the launch of the BMW 2002 in 1968.

Fitted with a 2.0-liter inline-four producing 100 horsepower, the 2002 struck the ideal balance between performance and practicality, laying the groundwork for the modern sports sedan segment. Car and Driver praised the 2002 as "the first car in history to successfully bridge the gap between the wildly romantic car nut and the hyperpragmatic people at Consumer Reports."

BMW Group Archives confirm that this example was built on 1 April 1971, finished in Riviera Blue (036), and delivered new through Hoffman Motors of New York. The original window sticker shows the car was equipped with Michelin XAS tires, tinted glass, reclining seats with Skai upholstery, a tachometer, and torsion bar stabilizers.

Since leaving Hoffman Motors, the car has amassed an extensive record and photo dossier from 1998 onward, including the restoration work completed between 2007 and 2010, with receipts totaling over $45,000. Adding to the sporting credentials and period-correct appeal of this BMW are the Ireland Engineering header and exhaust system, lower and stiffer springs and sway bars, a stainless steel short rear bumper, flush-mounted front turn signals, Coco mats, yellow Cibié fog lights, three-point seatbelts, and an Abarth leather-wrapped steering wheel. It rides on 13-inch Compmotive Minilite-style wheels with Toyo RA1 tires and retains a period-correct Sears AM/FM radio. Following its restoration, the 2002 has additionally benefited from a replacement headliner made with the correct German sourced material in 2023 at a cost of $2,400. In 2025, the car was serviced and tuned by DriverSource Fine Motorcars of Houston, Texas, including upgrading the intake manifold to accept two new 40 DCOE Weber carburetors.

Helping to establish BMW's sporting character in the U.S. when new, the 2002 remains one of the marque's most celebrated models, with a strong following today that remains charmed by their sporting nature. Retained by enthusiast owners, this charming early "roundie" remains a fabulous example of its type, boasting numerous sporting upgrades that enhance its appeal.