1972 BMW 2002tii Verona Red / XLNT Collector Quality / 5 speed

In 1972 BMW was on a roll. All of it's models were selling as fast as they could make them. and usually over sticker. The 5 year old 1600/2002 model however. was due for some upgrades. First. the old style 'shorty' bumpers were replaced with sleeker and more integrated items. The unwieldly Klippan 'bundle of snakes' seatbelts were replaced with nifty new retractable items. The standard 100hp 2L engine was treated to a new 2bbl Solex carb. a more free flowing head and exhaust. and a less malign smog system that improved further the car's already wonderful drivability.

But the big news in '72 was the new model 2002 tii--the 'touring international injection'. Frustrated by emissions requirements from bringing it's hot 2002ti model to these shores. the cleaner tii was just what the 'doktor' ordered.

Whereas a standard 2002USA retailed at around $4000. the tii cost $5500. a hefty premium. With that price bump though. one got a new 140hp Kugelfischer mechanically fuel injected motor. and upgraded cooling and suspension including larger front brakes taken from the E3 Bavaria sedans. Larger front struts and boxed rear trailing arms added to the package as did special rear brake wheel cylinders and an accessory clock on the dash. An immediate hit with both the public and the press. the 2002tii was the ultimate 'Whispering Bomb'.

Subsequent year 2002 and tii models had to deal with increased government tampering. Smog edicts and ugly bumpers reduced power and added weight. Inability to meet the '75 emissions requirements prevented importation of the tii that year. and the standard 2002 was strangled with an exhaust thermal reactor that in addition to decreasing fuel mileage and robbing power also did a wonderful job of cracking cylinder heads. In late '76 the 2002 was finally supplanted by the more comfortable but less inspired 320i. Among enthusiasts. the '72 tii is considered the epitome of the 2002 model. and is most sought after by collectors.

Having owned and driven 2002's since 1972. and having restored likely 100 of them in that period (see my website). we've seen lots of nice and not so nice examples. This car. VIN 2762325 'Verona'. is an extraordinary and special example of the best and most desirable of the 2002. the '72 tii.

'Verona' was sold new from the floor of legendary Vasek Polak BMW in Hermosa Beach. in October of 1972. to an aerospace engineer in Palos Verdes. He used the car to commute to his work in El Segundo. and maintained it fully. first with Vasek Polak and then with an independent BMW repair shop in Hermosa Beach. All the repair receipts from it's first oil change and 600 mile service done at the dealership are duly recorded. and come with the car. The car was in daily service and no major repairs were required til 2002. Needing some mechanical attention. the car was purchased from the original owner by the mechanic who had been servicing the car. usually a pretty good indicator of a car's quality. He rebuilt the head and FI pump and injectors. as well as installing a new set of Bilstein HD shocks as he also redid the front suspension. This was at 139K miles in May of 2002.

But in 2006. the car was noticed by a local BMW enthusiast. who bought the car to add to his stable of 3 other 2002's. He had the car completely repainted in original 024 BMW Verona Red. reportedly after a minor fender bender necessitated replacement of the RFF and hood--bolt on items both-- and a nice job it appears to have been. There is no evidence of frame or inner fender damage. and the repair work was done to a high standard using factory new parts. The paintwork was well prepped with seals and all trim removed. and the engine bay was nicely detailed as well. He then brought the car to Coupeking where we installed a 5 speed OD trans. and did some minor post-paint detailing. The car was clean and pretty and mightily original and straight. It ran great and the 5 speed conversion. as it always does for 2002s. made the car that much more enjoyable to drive. It's enthusiast owner drove the car regularly but sparingly. and when he unexpectedly died in 2012. the car had 152K miles. We purchased it from his estate.

By this time the car had a few cosmetic needs. The original carpet was worn beyond detailing and was replaced with a near NOS item from the Coupeking inventory. It is a beautiful set and as close to the original 'salt and pepper' as we've ever seen. The dash had the usual cracks. so we removed it to recover in new vinyl before reinstalling it. At this same time we rebuilt the rare tii clock and cleaned all the heater vents and lubed the controls. The original headliner and door panels are very fine and were cleaned only. and the original seats needed a bit of restuffing . but still carry the original Skai vinyl tex covers. They are in nearly concours shape. The original seatbelts. balky and frayed. were replaced with new. The vintage BBS alloys the car was riding on when we got it were swapped for a NOS set of the original tii alloys because they are the perfect complement to the car. A Nardi steering wheel and a set of cocomats finish the interior

Mechanically the car is excellent and with no needs. The numbers matched motor had a head rebuild 14K miles ago and the injection carries the '72 specific black plastic plenum tubes. The 5 speed shifts smoothly and all the hydraulics and clutchgear is in proper order. The car stops and handles with precision and without drama. All the electrics work fine save for the vintage correct Becker Europa radio which needs rebuild/replace per the new owner's desire.

The body has only been painted the one time. and to a high standard. The nose panel is the original tii specific item. sans the 'snorkel' to the right of the radiator. The hood pivots open with perfect balance and the shutlines of the doors and front end are factory spec. The floorpan is perfect and original and--benefitting from a lifelong SoCal garaged existence--there is no rust to be found. The spare tire well is perfect and carries an original tii steel wheel date coded 6/72. with an original 165/13 Michelin XAStire ala the factory. The original tool roll is included. as are the rare seat belt 'extenders' sent to original owners in early '73. when the dealers became aware that the new seatbelts were sometimes a bit short with the seat all the way forward. The aluminum trim is bright and straight. and the original bumpers are undamaged. but the original chrome is becoming a bit thin upon close inspection. The original blue plates--973GMA--were lost to the vanity plate craze of the '90's.

More pix of the pan and underneath. as well as the front end of the car at available at my coupeking website.

To summarize. Verona tii 2762325 is an extraordinarily fine and original example. A 'near survivor' it's never been restored. but freshened and repaired as needed. all the time by knowledgeable marque specialists and enthusiasts. It has pedigree and a fine provenance to go with it's remarkable originality. looks and drivability. A very rare and fine example of the epitome of the 2002.

Questions to me at coupeking@aol. com. Car is located in Wilmington near to LA harbor and LAX and Long Beach airports. We encourage inspection of the car in person and will assist you as possible. $500 PayPal deposit due within 24hr of auction close and rest via cash or wire transfer at pickup within 2 weeks. Shipping can be arranged at buyer expense. within USA or overseas.

Also published at eBay.com

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