Since you liked our previous 'blast from the past' with the Ford Capri we thought we'd continue the classic sportscar theme with the BMW 02 Series. If there's one vehicle that changed the course of the Bavarian automaker's history that is without doubt the 02 Series which ultimately defined the BMW brand image as we know it today. Derived from BMW's four-door compact saloon, the 1600, the first model of the 02 series was the 1602 which made its market debut in 1966.
Designed by famed Italian desginer Giovanni Michelotti, the 02 Series coupe was and still is, the epitome of classic BMW styling. Compared to the four-door 1600, the 02's length had been reduced by a significant 270mm to 4,230mm while the wheelbase of 2,500mm was only shortened by 50mm. The width of 1,330mm for the front-axle track remained unchanged to match the short overhangs while the roof was 40mm lower, which combined with the flat front windscreen, the round headlamps and circular taillights, made the 02 look much sportier than the 1600.
The 1602 was powered by a four-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1.6-liters producing 85HP. It weighed in at just 940kg or 2,072lbs and could accelerate to 100km/h (96mph) in around 13 seconds, and had a top speed of 166 km/h or 103mph. During the first year of sales, BMW produced 13,244 units, and in 1967 the two-door with its volume of 38,572 units had almost equaled production of the four-door model (39,930 units).
In 1967 BMW introduced the sportier 1602 ti (Turismo Internazionale) with a twin carburetor and a higher compression for a total output of 105HP. The same year saw the launch of the completely topless 1602 Convertible, however this model wasn't produced in large numbers.
1968 brought the iconic 2002 model which basically opened the U.S. market for BMW. In the first year of production, BMW sold almost 29,000 2002s and by 1972, this figure was to increase steadily to a level approaching 60,000 units a year. Nearly 20 percent of the 2002s were exported to the USA.
The first 2002 was powered by a 2.0-liter four pot with 100HP and could reach 100km/h (62mph) from standstill in 10.7 seconds. This car was followed in the same year (1968) by the sportier 2002 ti delivering 120HP and a top speed of 185 km/h or 115mph.
Three years later, BMW added four new models in the 02's range. The 1802 now inserted itself between the basic 1602 and the 2002, while the 2002 tii (the second i stood for injection) with a 130HP injection engine replaced the 2002 ti.
Two new bodywork designs were also added in 1971, the 2002 Convertible with a fixed roll-over bar and the 2000 touring. The 2002 Convertible had a removable roof panel (something like a targa top) and a fabric roof behind which incorporated a rear windscreen. The car could either be driven with a type of extended sliding roof, or as a landaulet open at the back, or open at both front and back.
The three-door Touring, which later on inspired the not so successful 1990's 3-Series Compact models was designed by Paul Bracq and it had the front end of the 02 Series and a completely new rear end. Interestingly, the Touring model was the first estate car in Germany to be designed with a split rear seat. The conventional notchback was replaced in this four-seater by a slanting tailgate, and it was 120mm shorter than the two-door model.
The most powerful production version of the 02 Series was the 2002 Turbo and it made its debut along with the facelifted 02s with the distinctive rectangular tailamps at the 1973 Frankfurt Motor Show. The crown glory of the 02 series was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 170HP (same as BMW's modern normally aspirated 2.0-liter four pot) offering the coupe a top speed of 210km/h or 131mph. Unfortunately the 2002 Turbo did not live long as fell victim to the spirit of the times after petrol prices sky-rocketed in the mid-70s.
Another interesting but forgotten version of the 02 was the battery-powered 1602 or as it is referred in BMW's internal code, the E7 which was used in the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any info on the 1602 Electric Drive, but as you can see in the archived photos that we manage to dig out of the archive, BMW's engineers replaced the coupe's engine with a whole set of batteries that powered an electric motor.
1975 was the beginning of the end for the iconic '02' as BMW introduced its successor in the form of the new two-door 3-Series. However, even though the rest of the range was discontinued, the Bavarian automaker launched a low cost version of the 02 called the 1502 powered by a detuned variant of the 1.6-liter engine with low compression. This model was produced between 1975 and 1977.
Overall, from 1966 to 1977, BMW sold around 825,000 units of the 02 Series. Aside from being a runaway sales success, the 02 also thrived in motor racing winning numerous German and European titles in saloon car racing, as well as victories in airfield events, classic circuit races, endurance events and rally racing achieved by both BMW factory and customer teams.
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