Page 71 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

“It grabs you.”
Back in the US, BMW sales were starting to pick up dramatically, due in part to a rapturous April 1968 review from David E. Davis in Car and Driver: “To my way of thinking, the 2002 is one of modern civilization’s all-time best ways to get somewhere sitting down,” he proclaimed. “The crazy-mad little BMW 2002 is every bit as good as I say it is – maybe better. If the 1600 was the best $2500 sedan C/D ever tested, the 2002 is most certainly the best $2850 sedan in the whole cotton-picking world.” It’s likely that no other single automotive review exerted as much influence on a model’s sales trajectory as Davis’ article. The following year, Road & Track chimed in with similar praise, “For a long time we’ve said that BMW has the best set of mechanicals in the world for a medium-priced sports car, sitting right here in this upright sedan.”
It wasn’t long before dealers and buyers clamored for a “ti” version of the 2002, which was launched in the spring of 1968 (though production was delayed for several months due to overwhelming demand for the standard-spec 2002). With output now up to 120 horsepower, more technical changes were required, including box-section rear suspension swing arms, five-inch wide wheels and larger front brakes. Top speed was nearly 120 mph, impressive
BMW 1600/2002
TOP: US launch of 2002 firmly established BMW’s reputation in North America. ABOVE: Carbureted 2002 ti was sold only in Europe. RIGHT: David E. Davis’ Car and Driver paean to the 2002 in 1968 was a boon to 2002 sales: “The crazy-mad little BMW 2002 is every bit as good as I say it is – maybe better.”
Falkenhausen and Planning Director Helmut Werner Bönsch both had a 2.0-liter engine from the outgoing 1500 installed into 1600s as personal prototypes. They were not alone in their quest: Max Hoffman was also pushing for a more powerful version of the 1600, but the European 1600 ti wouldn’t meet US emissions. However, the 100-horsepower 2.0-liter engine from the CS coupe was already certified for US sales and that made it easy – as was the name for the new model: “2002.”
The 2002 was formally launched in January 1968, initially for European markets and a few months later for North America. The differences between it and the 1600 were modest – basically a grille with black trim. It was Spartan at first and buyers expected more, so standard equipment on the base 2002 soon included a tachometer and reclining seats, matching the content of the 1600 ti. Front and rear anti-roll bars were added as well.
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