Munich - The "cult car" label is one that is popular and frequently bestowed. But there's one car that really does merit this epithet: few models embody the spirit of the early 1970s like the BMW 2002. It is this zeitgeist phenomenon that BMW Mobile Tradition is now reproducing with the aid of new parts. And the best thing about it is that visitors to the BMW Museum at the Olympic Tower can follow its progress on a daily basis thanks to the museum's Glass Workshop.
In the beginning was a number
The project was inspired by the fact that Mobile Tradition, the heritage division of the BMW Group, is now able to provide an estimated 90 percent of all spare parts for the BMW 2002. This is an outstanding parts supply for this classic, which can, incidentally, be viewed on the Internet at www.bmwmobiletradition.de. The idea of reconstructing a BMW 2002 tii developed rapidly. The core of the project is an original bodyshell from the 70s. The small number of spare parts not available from the Mobile Tradition range are being provided by a donor car or remanufactured by hand. With the creation of the Glass Workshop at the BMW Museum Exhibition next to the Olympic Tower, the perfect venue for the task has been found. For the 250,000 or so visitors who come here annually, it offers a unique opportunity to follow the car's progress live. Should the 2002 tii ever need to leave the Glass Workshop for specialized work, there will be an immediate, suitable replacement in the form of a BMW 3.0 CSL undergoing restoration. Scheduled to continue until the end of the year, the 2002 tii project is in the expert hands of master mechanic Arthur Heimann and the head of the BMW Group Mobile Tradition workshop, Klaus Kutscher. Mr. Heimann will be using several thousand Original BMW parts to build a new car more than 30 years old.
Cult car - cult color
This new four-wheeler, model year 1973, will be equipped with a strong heart: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating 130 hp will be installed in the BMW 2002 tii. In the era of the Beetle, a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) with moderate consumption of 9 litres/100 km (26.1 mpg) was a highly commendable figure. A zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) acceleration time of 9.4 seconds brought tears of delight to the eyes of family men and drove them straight to the sales office of their nearest BMW dealer. This dream car came with a price tag of DM 14,400. The "historical hue" of the day was reflected in the range of paintwork colors available: verona, golf and colorado were among the bright finishes on offer, but the hallmark shade of the day was inka - a strong orange. And it is this color that has been chosen for the 2002 tii currently under construction and destined to be a true shining jewel of the 1970s.
Summer celebration with workshop visit
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 30th, 2005, a summer party and film night will be held on the grounds of the BMW Museum Exhibition. This offers a chance to take a look at the progress being made on the BMW 2002 tii. Admission is free. Arthur Heimann will be delighted to discuss the BMW 2002 with any "gear heads," and the combination of food, drink and music promises an entertaining summer evening. Films featuring this year's anniversary models - the BMW 3 Series (30 years) and the BMW GS (25 years) - round out the program. The event is scheduled to wind down at around 1 a.m. The BMW Museum Exhibition is on the Spiridon-Louis-Ring next to the Olympic Tower. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
