Low-Mile Survivor: 1967 BMW 1600
If there is one BMW model that helped make the company a success story, it’s definitely the 2002 Series. As one of the earliest iterations of the sporty compact coupe, the 1600 model can be hard to find, which makes this 1967 BMW 1600 that Barn Finds Reader Roger found here on eBay quite a sight to behold.
This example rolled off the assembly line in June of 1967 and Hoffman Motors Corporation of New York City imported it into the States by in July of the same year. An enthusiast found this car in Idaho five years ago and then ended up passing along the information to the Costa Mesa, California-based vintage BMW collector who currently owns it.
Unlike most 1600s found these days, this one is complete as can be, including various rare parts that are exclusive to this early production model. It is a numbers matching car, down to the date stampings on the wheels and hubcaps – even including the spare. At some point, though, this example did receive a respray of the original Florida Green exterior paint color.
On the other hand, the seller claims that the interior is “completely original as it left Munich 52 years ago,” and it is impressive to see such a well-preserved cabin. There is a tear in the fabric on the driver’s seat and the rear seat, as well as some cracks in the dash, but otherwise, most items within this BMW function without issue.
As expected, you’ll find BMW’s trusty M10 4-cylinder engine under the hood. The powerplant pairs with a 4-speed manual transmission and the combination only has 41,500 miles on it. A compression test of the engine shows 150 psi per cylinder and no variations.
Despite the car’s amazing and original shape, the current owner overhauled various items, such as a flush of both the cooling and fueling systems, all the bushings in the suspension, new rubber seals throughout, all new tires, and various other items as part of a thorough tune-up.
Though the seller will entertain reasonable offers, the Buy it Now price for this classic Bimmer is $24,990. The 1600 is one of the lighter models in the 02 Series, and I’m sure this running and driving example is an absolute delight to pilot, especially in factory-like shape. Does the astonishingly original condition of this vintage BMW scare you from adding miles to it, or would you gladly break in the odometer on this early 02?
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Comments
Here we go again, another bathtub ring BMW.
I just don’t see what’s so wonderful about these little pieces of mechanical junk.
They are so small inside that a tall person could never enjoy them.
Hence the term junk.
I am 6′ 5″ fit just fine and find these anything but junk.
‘Junk’? Al, are you serious? Not confused with some other car? Plenty of people see the undoubted virtues of this series of BMW.
The Germans knew about ergonomics. I am 6-1 and I can even fit in the back seat pretty well. I enjoy mine. Not that there aren’t other short-comings.
Al in 1977 I drove one of these from Moscow Idaho to Kansas City with the owner for a Christmas vacation from University of Idaho in 35 hours. They closed three mountain passes behind us. When we got to Pocatello they were sending out snow mobiles the other direction. We were the last car to get thru. The wind on I-80 blew two big Greyhound busses off the road and I was driving behind and before the wind of the pass blew us off I put the car on the inside lane and slowed at the same time. We ended up on the far lane but still on the road.
This was a non-stop trip except for gas and hamburgers. We got great milage, room for plenty of stuff, it was warm ( Really Great Heater) and it handled well. This comes from an owner of a few Lotus.
I really like these. Simple in layout which means a lot of thought went into the design. Easy to work on. Good to great materials for the time and just generally fun. Visibility only bettered if you had a convertible. Get one into a city and that parking space in the opposite direction is suddenly open to you with a flick of the wrist. Traction on snow was amazing.
Per looks I can understand if you have not driven one a few thousand miles you might miss the beauty within. Like that girl at school that blooms into something special not because she is the most physically beautiful girl but she is the one that treats you so well you can not help but fall in love with her. These are like that, everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Last note I am or was 5′-10″ The owner as 6′-3″ and there was plenty of room for both of us, the pop cans we emptied, the hamburger packages with fries we ate while on the move and all the crap we had in the back seat and trunk. I wonder if the books in the back made a difference??? LOL.
I’m 6’3” and have driven mine for 20years with no problems with my pc of junk. Been across North America 3 times and debating doing the Lima to Cape Horn run in 2020. What a pc of junk.
Wow, I commented on the over-abundance of Corvette postings, and was run up the pole as being a complainer.
Then this joker disrespects one of the best cars ever built, but that’s OK? The 2002 cars are mechanically anything but junk; they drive great, are infinitely modified to high performance, are extremely reliable, and are still raced the world over. That’s what is so wonderful about these excellent little cars. Here’s mine.
I’m interested to know, if you consider this car junk, what was being built in 1967 that was a “better” built car?
what a dope , had 2002 first thing people would say ” I can’t beleve all the room in such a small car”
You have never been in the driver’s seat of one of these, have you Al? If ever there was a car that can accommodate a “tall person”, this one is it. Lou Alcindor? Perhaps not. But the run of the mill 6’6″ cat . . . absolutely.
If you’ve never driven or owned one you probably won’t understand what makes these 1600/2002s so special. And at 6’5” I had no trouble fitting in my sunroof equipped 74 which I bought new. I have owned four of these and I know the owner of this one, it’s incredibly original. And they are great handling cars, especially on the original 165/80-13 tires.
Your not that tall, but where is your height? Probably not in the legs.
I’m pretty tall and have 6″ of headroom in my ’73 2002Tii
It’s one of the best vintage cars I have ever owned, I travel at 75mph 1300 miles roundtrip to The Vintage every year in it, getting 27mpg and passing people going uphill while smiling the whole time, watching people wave at me through the incredible greenhouse which makes it easy to see everything. Oh, and then there is the legendary handling and huge trunk space, not to mention room for four adults.
You have obviously never driven or owned one.
I am tall and it’s all in my legs, 36” inseam if you need to know.
I’m 5’11” and have a good 3″ at least to the headliner in my ’02. If you notice, the glass is actually quite tall, and was often referred to as a green house. I’ve had a lot of 70’s US and British cars and I find my ’02 incredibly easy to wrench on and well put together. The 5 speed is a lot of fun too!
I would leave a comment for Al, but the rules don’t allow for profanity or personal attacks.
One of my SGTs had one of these in whatever the tan color BMW called it in ’67. Another one of my guys had an earlier 1500. I fit my nearly 6′ 4″ frame into front (and back) seats without too much issue and loved how they handled. Have a ’98 328is right now, which is the closest I’ve gotten to owning one of these. Also love the simplicity of the engine bays of these pre-smoggers. Someone in the Chicago club would love to have this !
Great clean Bimmer 02 survivor. Best looking version with the metal grill and circular tail lights.
Always thought these were amongst the best-looking BMWs ever, all newer versions seems like replicas of this Ur-BMW.
Was impressed already as a kid when I spotted the 2002 Turbo with the script mirrored on the windshield. This 1600 won’t be that agile, but will sure have fun driving characteristics for a 50 year old car! Would love to put milage on it
The rarest feature of all is that it is still 6V.
This car is sold, it was listed at $29K earlier and then reduced to $25K, and I am sure he took an offer on it. It is hard to repeat an early one in this color with all the original pieces intact.
had one of these in 1972 that I bought used. Was a blast to drive compared to my 72 chevelle wagon. This one has never been near road salt. Mine trapped water behind the factory sealant at the back of the front fenders and rusted. Very basic care like this one, no factory radio or place to put one. One the pollution pump fell off it ran much better.
6v, silver dash pod, thin stalks, short bumpers without rubbers, no lower mouldings, pump screen washers, early steering wheel, all silver grilles, long diff, uj rear drive shafts, small rear brakes, no provision for headrests, the list goes on, very rare, will be low geared so still quite quick up to say 75mph,
Thanks all for the kind comments. I own AutoKennel and was helping the owner sell the car. Normally, I focus on cars with values over $30k++ and tend to do more with the air-cooled Porsches, however, I do own an even older 1600 (1966) and I’m a huge fan of these early cars. Ours has taken over a decade to amass 90% of the rare original bits this one has. It was very tempting to just keep it. For years I wanted a 2002 “roundie” until I drove a very well sorted stock 1600. Sub 50mph, they are just a blast to drive. They make even the most mundane local errand fun and something to look forward too. Thanks again to everyone who chimed in on this example.
Cheers,
Paul
PS Below is a pic of my ’66 (one of first 1600s ever delivered to the U.S.)
Obviously Al never owned one, and just doesn’t get it.