The 1500 Neue Klasse saloon in the 60’s was a positive foray into producing new models, albeit on the more executive side. The Klasse revealed a gap in the market for a more affordable marque from BMW, who were at the time a largely unknown novelty in the U.S market, thanks to the Isetta bubble car made in partnership with the Italians.

The 02 as it was designated (02 meaning 2 door) was less equipped than the Klasse, shorter by 25cm with a spacious boot, room for a family of 4 and small dog. Lighter, faster and more nimble than the Neue Klasse, it was an enticing package. The 1600 engined M10 variant quadrupled BMW’s sales in the US, bringing BMW back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Two directors at BMW, Helmut Werner Bönsch and Alex von Falkenhausen both had the larger bored out two-litre version of the M10 engine fitted to their personal 1600-02’s. Across the pond, a dealer called Hoffman Motors had also identified a market for a 2.0 litre variant of the 02. With a proposal from Bönsch and von Falkenhausen, alongside Hoffman’s identical idea, reviewed and approved by the board in Munich, the BMW 2002 was born.

This new 02 was fitted with a four cylinder 1990cc M10 engine featuring a SOHC configuration and single carburetor. Producing 100bhp with brake discs up front and responsive independent suspension, it would out perform almost all of its peers.

By the end of production in 1976, over twenty-six thousand 2002’s had been sold in North America alone. Thanks to a flurry of positive praise from journalists, with Car and Driver declaring it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.” and Auto Bild titling the 2002 as ‘Fluster Bombe’ – The Whispering Bomb.

First registered 1968 in Pacific Blue, a paint finish unique to the year, it was used as a demonstrator by BMW Concessionaires of Brighton. It covered around 32,000 miles over the next three years with three separate owners, moving from Berkshire, to Bridgend, to Somerset. It would stay in the West Country with its fourth owner until one day the keys were misplaced. With the car tucked away safely in the garage, it was forgotten about, later replaced with another 2002. The Blue 2002 stayed in the garage for a staggering four decades.

With the passing of its owner, the 02 became part of an estate sale, where it was acquired by James the current owner, a 2002 enthusiast. The car had no logbook and still no keys. After a lengthy back and forth with the DVLA, James was unable to acquire a replacement V5.

It was by chance that James ended up talking to another 2002 owner in Wales, who had acquired the sister 2002 from the estate sale and with it, a hefty history file that included the keys and original green keepers documents for the Pacific Blue 2002.

The car was already in great unwelded condition, but with James being a dab hand with 02’s, it received a comprehensive recommissioning of the mechanicals whilst being entirely sympathetic to the car’s original untouched interior. The years in storage had been unkind to the paintwork and so a full respray was required.

Included with the sale are the original green keepers documents, complete service history, booklets, service invoices in Pounds, Shillings and Pence, as well as a few oddities such as ticket stubs for crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Before being handed over to the new owner it will pass through our workshop for a final pre-delivery inspection to ensure full turn key usability.