From The Classifieds: 1973 BMW 2002 Tii

BMW’s 2002 two-door sedan is generally seen as the vehicle that began the German brand’s momentum as a sporty car manufacturer in the late 1960s.

With the substitution in 1968 of the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine used in the identically-bodied 1602 model with a much gruntier 2.0-litre version, the compact BMW was among the first genuinely quick cars in its class. It also threw more than a little dynamic balance into the equation.

With power up from the 1602’s 63kW/130Nm to 75kW/157Nm, the lightweight 2002 was a true sports sedan with a bit more class than some of the other contenders in its day. On sale locally from 1968 to 1976, the BMW coexisted with the likes of Holden’s GTR Toranas and Datsun’s six-cylinder Skyline coupes.

The two-door BMW, known affectionately among enthusiasts as the “02”, offered all-independent suspension with MacPherson struts at the front and a semi-trailing link arrangement at the rear, along with front-wheel discs brakes and a single-overhead camshaft engine (the formula picked up by Datsun in its ubiquitous, rally-centric 1600 sedan).

Initially available only as a four-speed manual, the 2002 deferred to less macho customers by offering an emasculated three-speed auto option from 1969 onwards.

In 1973, a faster, fuel injected Tii version wringing 97kW/177Nm out of the same basic engine was offered alongside the regular 2002.

On sale from 1971 elsewhere, but not in Australia, was the open-top “Targa” style Baur cabriolet with the interesting combination of a removable metal upper roof and a fabric rear section incorporating a Perspex rear window.

The Baur coachbuilding company, which was established in 1910, had a long experience with developing open-roof versions of regular sedans and the compact cabriolet was only one of a number of BMWs to get the treatment. Importantly, the 2002 Baur cabriolet was fully sanctioned by BMW.

With its unusual side window line, and the mix of metal and fabric making up the roof, the 2002 Baur was distinctly different to look at compared with a regular two-door sedan version and, understandably, was a little heavier.

The 2002 cabriolet is not exactly common in Europe and is even less so here. It was essentially a Europe-only model and not all that many were built, with all-up production during the vehicle’s model life adding up to less than 2000 vehicles.

The owner of this metallic blue 1973 2002 Tii advertised on carsales.com.au says only 354 of this version were built, making it exceptionally rare on any market.

Priced (negotiably) at $19,950, the Baur is claimed to feature “fully rebuilt” mechanicals, all documentation including handbooks and is described as being in “Superb original condition throughout.”

The collector owner, who claims to be “downsizing”, is from the Sydney suburb of Hurlstone Park and is offering the car with hard-to-get BMW spares as part of the deal. The registered Baur (five months remaining) comes without a roadworthy certificate.

Certainly, whoever buys this 1973 Baur will be living in rarefied territory.