To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' London event, 24 October
2019.
Estimate:
£110,000 - £120,000
- Offered from the Youngtimer Collection
- Recent full restoration
- Fitted with its matching-numbers engine
When the BMW 2002 Turbo was unveiled at the 1973 Frankfurt
Motorshow, not everyone gave it a warm reception. Its bolt-on
wings, bumper-less front spoiler, Mahle 13x6 Turbo wheels, and
iconic Pantone BMW Motorsport colours were considered uncouth, some
elements of the German press going as far as to accuse it of
'provoking aggressiveness'. Indeed, for the show itself, the '2002'
and 'Turbo' reverse script, which had appeared on the front
spoilers of press cars to warn unsuspecting cars just exactly what
was approaching in the rear-view mirror, was removed to try to keep
the peace. It didn't work; the 2002 Turbo was and is still
considered one of the naughtiest cars to have emerged from
Munich.
Far more than form over function, the 2002 Turbo took the already
'hot' 1,600 cc powertrain from the 2002 Tii and added a single KKK
turbocharger to raise peak power from 130 bhp to 170 bhp. An oil
cooler was also introduced alongside bigger brakes and a
limited-slip differential, and higher-performance tyres were
wrapped around wider wheels for increased traction and road
holding. Conspicuously, the man overseeing the development of the
engine, Alex Von Falkenhausen, was quoted as stating that
considerably more power could have been unleashed with higher
turbo-boost pressure, but that 'we thought 170 bhp was about the
limit for the running gear of a car not driven by experts'. Little
wonder, then, that the instrument binnacle was painted bright red,
both as a nod to commercial sponsors Texaco, and also to remind any
driver that this was a car worthy of respect.
This immaculate example has been subject to a comprehensive
nut-and-bolt restoration by marque specialists Oldenzaal Classics.
The car has been dismantled entirely, repainted, and rebuilt, and
now presents in showroom condition having covered just 132 km.
Pleasingly, it is also adorned with its full complement of BMW
Motorsport warpaint, including the '2002 Turbo' reverse script on
the spoiler.
With only 1,672 examples produced, the opportunity to own a 2002
Turbo is not an everyday occurrence, and this beautifully prepared
example would stand out amongst any peers, be that at the track, a
local gathering, or concours event. To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.