Background:
"The New Class makes a breakthrough" BMW arrived at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show with the 1500 model. This new model would successfully penetrate the market and re-establish BMW a modern, uccessful car manufacturer. This excitement allowed the company to become profitable again in 1963. A company that planted it roots in aircraft engines, followed by motorcycles was now a contender in the market for sporty two-door and four-door passenger cars. The 1602 made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1966, ith design influence by the legendary Giovanni Michelotti. The 02 Class cars began to many what would be termed as the beginning of modern BMW. That quintessential BMW driving experience is deeply engrained in the 02 class cars.
Under the bonnet of this beauty is a 1,573-cc SOHC inline four-cylinder engine, ueled by a single Solex downdraft carburetor. The engine would produce 85hp at 5,700rpm. Married to the engine is a smooth shifting four-speed manual transmission. Enhancing the driving experience is independent front and rear suspension and a hydraulic braking system.
This Roundie is part of a major private collection featuring some very significant marques. It has been cared for in house and kept in ready to drive condition by a large team. It sits beside many other rare and collectible BMW within the collection. This car is part of a greater enjoyment and celebration of all things BMW, ot just a one off purchase.
The Condition and Service:
Let's start on the engine and drivetrain:
-ENGINE
Matching numbers engine! The engine comes to life immediately with a twist of the key. With even a crack of the throttle it, he BMW feels peppy, mooth, oves to rev, nd effortlessly pulls away! More then a leisurely drive? Keep your foot in it and the real thrill of the engine comes to life! The powerband sits above the 3k rpm marker and comes alive as and you comfortably and quickly pull away from your fellow drivers. It really is a quite a special little engine. The engine is free of any issues, hows no major (or really any) leaks. Starts right up cold or warm and settles into idle quickly.
Check out the engine bay pics! Clean, idy and well cared!
-TRANSMISSION
The 4 speed transmission is in FANTASTIC shape. Tight, onfident shifts. NO grinds, O syncro issues. The shifter eases into gear without any drama.
-SUSPENSION
No bangs, o rough ride, o clunks! The shocks dampen wonderfully! The car is tight in corners, nd comfortable on the straights!
-BRAKES
Confident pedal, reat pressure with a firm positive stop.
-STEERING
Steering feels good, ight and with no excessive vibrations or play.
Let's continue to the exterior:
-PAINT and BODY
The paint is VERY nice! It is a 8 out of 10 easily. Shiny, eautiful, hamonix White paint was recently polished, inished and waxed and looks wonderful. Flaws are minor at best and would represent a car that was well cared for, ut enjoyed. It is the original color and was repainted in a perfect match. I can find NO rust on the car. Clean trunk, loors, hock towers, owl, tc. There is some light surface oxidation on little stone chips/etc underneath in some places and that is it.
-WHEELS/TIRES
Great shape wheel covers, heels and tires. Shiny metal on the wheel covers and loads of tread on the tires!
-BUMPERS and BRIGHT WORK
The bumpers are in wonderful shape! No dents, racks or issues! Chrome is nice all around the car with only minor flaws.
-GLASS/WINDOWS
Not to let a pebble defeat this car, he windshield is great shape, ith no chips or sandblasting. The door and rear glass is wonderful shape! Clear and clean!
Onto the cabin:
-SEATS
The Saddle Brown seats are in wonderful shape! No splits, o worn spots! Just wonderful and soft! It really is a treat to spend time in these seats. Rear seats are in great shape as well!
-DASHBOARD
Beautiful shape!! Two very small cracks that were repaired and not very noticeable. Please see the pics below.
-DOOR PANELS
Very nice panels, o stains, ears or issues!
-CARPET
Very nice carpet in the car! No heel wear or stains! Coco mats in wonderful shape!
-WINDOWS
Windows roll down and up with no issues. Good tracks and no dead rollers. Rears pop out nicely.
-RADIO
Original Blaupunkt radio works GREAT!
-STEERING WHEEL
The wheel is in great shape with no major defects or cracking!
Documentation/Tools/Manuals
This beauty comes complete with the owner’s manual, MW scarf and umbrella, oolkit and records!
The Experience:
This 1602 is a dream to drive. It is tight, ery comfortable, ery quick, nimble and smooth. It has all the power it had from the factory and then some, nd from even a little gas is torquey and responsive. It is so easy to fall in love with this BMW. One twist of the key and she is humming along at idle. Press the gas and she growls! Rowing the gears of this BMW on windy road is about as close to driving nirvana one can get. There were so few cars like the 1602 to drive. I find myself in odd cars all of the time, rom the hyper expensive and rare, o the quirky, o the mundane. This 1602 is one of my favorite cars to drive. It has the soul of a racecar and the nuts and bolts of a touring car. It has this great big steering wheel that feels wonderful in your hands and the car allows you to turn into any corner with confidence. I hope you can tell by my long ad that this car is an wonderful and beautiful 1602. This really is a very special car to drive and with the ongoing care within the collection, t is a worry free BMW, eady to be enjoyed for the second half of summer and fall! These coupes are renowned for their driving experience, nd this particular example is of the finest examples available; it's ideal for touring and classic car events. They are becoming extremely collectible as well!
Feel free to ask me any questions at all. Residents around the country I am happy to be flexible for your arranged shipper so that you can get your new car as soon as possible.
My standard disclaimer/mantra for any car regardless of service or price: The car is sold with no warranty. You are buying a used car. Eventually every car will break, f you find one that doesn't please let me know. I do my ABSOLUTE BEST to offer only cars that are of TOP NOTCH service. I am not a dealer, ust a guy who loves BMW (among other cars) and hope to pass along my passion and fervor for these cars. That said if ever you encounter an issue I do my best to provide advice, irection or even parts if I have them. Please understand that it is a used car and will have minor signs of use. That means please do not expect a showroom brand new car. Please adjust your expectation level to that of a 40+ year old car, ut however is WELL above average for it's year/miles. This is very nice condition for a BMW of this year, ut please just remember that no 40 year old car is perfect. It is though a great BMW! Please only bid if you intend to buy. If you would like to have an Ebay 3rd party mechanic service check out the car I MORE than welcome it. Please have the car checked out BEFORE bidding and not after, f you intend to use that service. And please, f you would like to utilize this service, ontact me with more than a couple days left in the auction so we can arrange schedules. Please check your local laws and registration procedures before buying. Buying over the internet can be scary sometimes! I get it, ecause I am an enthusiast too!! For that very reason, am more than happy to answer every and any question you may so you know 100% what you are buying. But, lease ask any and all questions ahead of purchase! All sales are final, ou are buying as-is, he sky is blue, etc, tc. Sorry to have to give the boring speech.
Please feel free to ask any and all questions!!
On Aug-17-15 at 11:41:23 PDT, eller added the following information:
EDIT: I believe I may have referred to the color incorrectly. It appears to be Florida White, ot Chamonix. Thank you all for your keen eyes.
On Aug-18-15 at 11:39:18 PDT, eller added the following information:Just to be clear, ince I have received so many emails still on the color. YES, he car is FLORIDA. Not Florida white, r Chamonix. My mistake - my wife says I am color blind, erhaps I need to believe her at this point. From BMW Group Archives directly: "The BMW 1600 US VIN 1567736 was manufactured on January 28th, 969. The original colour was Florida, aint code 066."