BMW 2002 Turbo 1974 Model
BMW 2002 Turbo 1974 Model
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The 2002 Turbo was essentially a hand-built car assembled by a special team operating within the BMW production facility in Munich, Germany. It was only ever built in left-hand-drive form.
Of the total amount of cars manufactured World Wide only 61 are still running with a further 82 in different phases of restoration.
The BMW 2002 Turbo is famous for being Europe’s first production turbocharged car as well as a first for BMW.
The 2002 Turbo is instantly recognizable by its deep front spoiler and fender flares that were riveted onto the standard 2002 coupe body. It also had special wider wheels, and the distinctive BMW Motorsport stripes in blue and a pinkish-orange- red on the flanks and spoiler.
The one thing the 2002 Turbo couldn’t do was beat the 1973 oil crisis that hit the same year it was introduced. Sales were slow and by the time production ended in 1975 just 1,672 had been built. Today they’re unicorn cars for many, including us at Collectible Wheels, and the values on them seems to not so much climb gradually, but explode upwards.
The engine was a two-litre straight four, as designed by the famous Paul Rosche, fitted with a turbocharger and Kugelfischer fuel injection. Inside the interior was fairly ordinary, apart from special bucket seats, a sport steering wheel and a boost gauge.
In 1974 it was good for a seven-second 0-100km/h time and a top speed of 210km/h, indecently quick for the time!
The example that we have was delivered brand new to Nicky Oppenheimer, son of Harry Oppenheimer and grandson of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, who controlled the wealthy De Beers and Anglo American diamond and mining operations in South Africa. Nicky took delivery directly from BMW UK export division on the 10 December 1974.
The original specifications were the colour being yellow, optional extra’s included electric windows and a sunroof. Nicky Oppenheimer owned the car for 7 years before it went to its new owner. The current owner has owned the car for 20 years.
There have been a few changes to the car over the years albeit not to the purists agreeing to.
The ready to deliver off the showrooms version way back in 1974 came in two colour choices white or silver. This example has been resprayed white from its original yellow, BMW South Africa in Rosslyn recovered the seats a number of years ago and added their own flair of two M-Stripes in the upholstery.
The car comes dressed with an E30 centre console however a brand new original one comes with the car still in its original packaging. The car retains its original Turbo however an additional intercooler has been fitted for obvious reasons which has led to the battery been moved to the boot. The car runs later spec BBS alloy wheels, which many 2002 Turbo owners world-wide have retro-fitted however it does still retain its original steel spare wheel. The car also has a brand new original front grill and the original steering wheel.
Importantly the car is still fitted with matching engine and chassis numbers, and a set of new (period correct) decals, including the infamous reversed “Turbo 2002” decal on the front.
A 2002 Turbo, in almost any shape, is an extraordinarily collectible BMW now, and an unsurpassed object of desire for 2002 adherents. The reality of its truncated lifespan meant that while BMW never officially raced the car, its historic engine package, turbo and otherwise, was hugely developed, receiving a 16-valve head and winning in Formula 2 by the 1970s.
Model: 1974
Transmission type: Manual
Vehicle colour: White
Mileage: 96000km
Interior colour: Black
Number of doors: Two Doors
Convertible: No
Driver side: Left Hand Side
Fuel: Petrol
Motor size (CC): 1991cc Turbo Charged.
Owner's Manual: Yes
Service History: Yes
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