Chassis No. 2366376

With its spritely single-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine, disc brakes, independent suspension, and handsome styling, the BMW 1600 played a major role in the revival of the sporting image the Bavarian automaker had enjoyed before WWII. It didn't take long after the compact sedan's introduction in 1966 before calls for more power, not least of which came from U.S. importer Max Hoffman, spurred the creation of the BMW 2002 in 1968.

The 2002's 2.0-liter inline-four producing 100 horsepower provided a perfect blend of performance and practicality, paving the way for the now-popular sports sedan segment. Car and Driver magazine was effusive in its praise of the compact, writing "The BMW 2002 may be the first car in history to successfully bridge the gap between the diametrically-opposed automotive requirements of the wildly romantic car nut, on one hand, and the hyperpragmatic people at Consumer Reports, on the other." The 2002 remained largely unchanged over its nine-year production run, with 1973 yielding the only significant aesthetic change which saw its round taillamps replaced by horizontal units.

Finished in a classic Fjord Metallic exterior complemented by a pristine Blue vinyl interior, this 1975 BMW 2002 perfectly embodies the sophistication of classic Bavarian design.

The car's early history is documented by concours judging sheets, achieving near-perfect scores in the late 1980s under the stewardship of its original owner, Dick Hamilton, a dedicated member of the BMW CCA Rocky Mountain chapter. The car's significance was further cemented in 1991 when it was chosen for display by BMW of North America at a prestigious event on the veranda of the Scottsdale Princess Hotel. Following Hamilton's passing, the car was lovingly retained by his wife, before joining its second owner who drove it sparingly.

With an odometer reading of just 9,168 miles, this BMW 2002 presents an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire a well-preserved example of one of the marque's most celebrated models. Accompanied by its owner's manuals, tool roll, jack, spare, and a second set of 13-inch steel wheels, this offering represents a complete package for the discerning collector of vintage BMWs