One to Buy: 1974 BMW E20 2002 Turbo
Although the Oil Crisis of 1974-1975 forced BMW to prematurely kill off the 2002 Turbo owing to massively reduced demand for high performance cars, it ultimately did nothing to affect the legendary status that the flagship E20 has since gone on to acquire.
With its fat arches, wide wheels, aggressive spoilers and Motorsport stripe kit, the 2002 Turbo looked like it had arrived straight from the race track.
In the engine bay was a two-litre M31 inline four with a single KKK turbocharger and Kugelfischer fuel-injection. This was dropped into a reinforced bodyshell riddled with uprated ancillary equipment to include hopped-up suspension and brakes. A similarly enhanced cockpit came with sports seats, a new three-spoke steering wheel, a VDO boost gauge and an unusual red fascia for the primary instrument binnacle.
Despite the troubled economic times that cast a cloud over the 2002 Turbo’s time in production, BMW would surely have expected to sell many multiples of the 1672 eventually completed. However, its rarefied nature means that today, prices have soared for what remains one of the most iconic German performance cars of the late 20th century.
Currently on offer at the Autosport Designs showroom in Huntington Station, New York, is an immaculate Polaris Silver example originally delivered to the Italian distributor, Bavaria Societa Importazioni e Vendita SpA. Completed on June 6th 1974 and dispatched from the factory three days later, it was configured with the optional limited slip differential, rear window defroster, rear seat belts and BMW Motorsport stripe kit.
Today, this fully restored car is showing a believed genuine 86,000km and would make an ideal addition to almost any collection of sporting motor cars.
Reprinted below is Autosport Designs’ description for what looks to be an absolytely superb 2002 Turbo:
Polaris Silver Metallic, Black interior, Black carpeting, 2.0 Liter Turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, optional dogleg 5-speed manual gearbox, Matching Numbers, Showing 86,000 KMs, Rare one of 1,672 produced, Collector owned, Exceptional throughout.
The BMW 2002 is regarded as the genesis of modern BMW. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the “Neue Klasse” sedan was an instant hit and paved the way for the modern sport sedan, becoming BMW's strong suit carried through to this day. The 2002 (Two-Liter, Two door sedan) was updated throughout its production and finished with its fastest variant, the Turbo. After many race wins, the road-going Turbo was produced and matched the look of the racecars with its deep front air dam, wheel arch extensions and rear spoiler. Only 1,672 road-going Turbos were produced.
This matching numbers Turbo was produced on June 18th, 1974 and delivered new to Italy. It is in excellent condition throughout. In previous long-term enthusiast-collector ownership, it is believed that the 86,000 Kilometers are original to the car. The Turbo was completely restored to its original factory specification and presents as new throughout. This Turbo was optioned with a limited slip differential, rear window defroster, rear seat belts and the infamous exterior BMW Motorsport stripes, now synonymous with BMW's M division.
It is accompanied by a BMW Group Classic Certificate, original manufacturers literature, receipts, tools and spare wheel. This 2002 Turbo is ready for immediate enjoyment and would certainly be a showpiece at any BMW event or other vintage car show or tour.
