BMW Legend

The BMW 2002 is probably the most revered classic BMWs in the world. Although BMW was already known for their handling capabilities, since the 2002’s launch in 1968, BMW began focusing on the sheer driving pleasure (their current slogan) of mass-production sports cars, and the 2002 ensured their success in gaining the attention of motoring enthusiasts.

The 2002 might not be the most successful racing BMW, but it opened the floodgates for the German Giant, and nearly every BMW since then had racing pedigree in it’s blood. The 2002 was part of the BMW New Class series launched in 1962. The New Class was eventually phased out when it was replaced by the BMW 5-series in 1972, and the 3-series in 1975. The 2002 was replaced, in production line-up, by the BMW E30 M3 in 1985, which became an automotive icon in it’s own right, and it was succeeded in spirit by the 2007 BMW 1M Coupe (later the 2016 M2).

The 2002 was the result of the BMW Director of Product planning and a BMW Engine designer both coincidentally installing a 2lit engine in their identical private cars, a BMW 1600-2. Realizing their coincidental modifications, they campaigned a proposal to BMW to introduce a 2lit variant of the 1600-2. At the same time, BMW was asked by an American importer to produce a sportier variant of the 1600-2 for the US market, BMW obliged and the car was named 2002.