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.

Cult Following

The church of ‘John Ultimate’ was doing well. At the time of purchase there was 100% import duty on all foreign cars entering New Zealand making it a very expensive acquisition. The basic UK list price of a 2002 Tii in April 1973 was an eye-watering £2,800, If you then add 100% import duty to get the car into New Zealand the base price would have been something approaching £6,000.

John kept the 2002 for around 4 years, before selling it to a member of his congregation, who had migrated to the house across the street -to be closer to the centre of the known universe; it covered a mere 12,213km. It would remain in his keeping for the next 13 years, doubling in mileage to 22,435km before being sold to the local Christchurch BMW dealer - Blackwell Motors.

As unwelded examples become increasingly difficult to come by, it is our belief that this is categorically the best RHD example of a 2002tii in existence. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky that the favourable conditions in New Zealand and a handful of very sympathetic custodians have allowed this 2002 tii to have survived in the condition it is today.

The shell has undergone the all-important Hero Motor Company future-proofing. The underside of the car has been thoroughly washed, inspected and given a final application of clear cavity wax, an act of longevity totalling over £3,500 of labour alone.

Before handover to the new owner, the 2002 tii will pass through the workshop for PDI and final checks.