Lot 311: 1973 BMW 2002 Touring

As early as 1963 there had been discussions about a new and smaller BMW. Thoughts began to focus on a short wheelbase two door version of the New Class saloon. This plan had particular merit because it would help to re-establish the sporting image that BMW had enjoyed in the 1930s but which it had failed to recapture since; the shorter wheelbase would bring handling advantages while the lighter body would improve performance and, of course, the two door configuration would look more sporting than the four door New Class model. And, suiting BMW's needs perfectly, the motoring press was unable to resist comparisons with Alfa Romeo's sports cars. Not long after the 1,600cc version was announced, Alex von Falkenhausen had a two litre engine dropped into an example of the car for his own use. Completely independently, BMW's Planning Director Helmut Werner Bonsch had exactly the same conversion carried out for his car. Neither man knew of the other's car until one day in mid-1967 when the two cars were in the workshops at BMW. Both were so enthusiastic about their two litre, two door cars that they put forward a formal proposal to the BMW board that such a model should be considered for production. The rest, as they say, is history. Presented in classic silver with a contrasting blue cloth interior, this touring example was originally sold to a lady who subsequently owned the car for the ensuing 34 years, during which time just 86,000 miles were recorded.- approximately a mere 2,500 miles per year. Its mileage is supported by all the previous MoT test certificates as well as a full service history; the current MoT test certificate will expire in March 2008. Described as mechanically sound, this extremely original, (almost) one owner car offers inexpensive classic motoring with the practicality and reliability normally found in its more modern counterparts.