One to Buy: ultra rare UK delivery 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo
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BMW first introduced a turbocharged iteration of the 2002 in order to retain its competitive advantage over Porsche and Alfa Romeo in the premier Division 3 category of the 1969 European Touring Car Championship.
1968 had seen Dieter Quester secure the title for the Bavarian marque driving a normally aspirated 2002ti and, during the winter that followed, BMW’s Paul Rosche was tasked with creating a forced induction version of the existing M14 engine.
Thanks to wins around Belgrade, Brands Hatch and Jarama as well as up the Marchairuz Hillclimb, Quester retained his Drivers’ crown and BMW made it back-to-back Manufacturer titles for what was the second and last year of the European Touring Car Championship’s Group 5 era.
Although the 2002tiK had fulfilled its objective of winning the 1969 ETCC titles, the forced induction motor did not have the best reliability record and it wasn’t until late 1973 that BMW felt sufficiently confident to offer a production version: the 2002 Turbo.
Unfortunately, the ensuing Oil Crisis had killed the ‘02 Turbo off by the summer of ‘75 and BMW never bother to build a right-hand drive market which meant relatively few of the 1672 built made its way to the UK.
However, one of these ultra rare KL-delivered 2002 Turbos is currently on offer at the Munich Legends showroom in Chelwood Gate, East Sussex.
Imported new by BMW’s British distributor in 1974, the still very low mileage car was in 1978 acquired by BMW dealer Richard Cound of Cotswold Service Station who retained it until 1994.
The car has today covered a little under 50,000 miles and is presented in very good condition throughout. It comes complete with a fascinating history file and BMW Classic certification that confirms its matching numbers status.
