1970 Colorado Orange BMW 2002
VIN 1674133

This exceptionally clean and well documented 1970 BMW 2002 was purchased new in New York on June 11, 1970 at E. Koeppel, Inc. Original BMW service booklet indicates service by Koeppel, Inc. until 16,000 miles when the original owner relocated to Gainesville, Florida. John Patrick BMW Specialist began servicing the car in Florida with all receipts included from 1978-1981 at which time the original owner moved to Atlanta, GA. From 1982 until purchase by the second owner in 2001, the car was cared for by Buckhead Motor Works in Atlanta with all receipts included. In addition to performing extensive documented maintenance, Buckhead also installed a BMW factory replacement engine with about 45,000 miles accrued to date. The installation included a tii distributor and tii exhaust manifold.

An exterior restoration was completed by Bavarian Body Works of Atlanta, GA in early 2000. The car was fitted with a number of new panels including doors, front fenders, euro nose and rockers that all still maintain a beautiful rust free appearance. Base coat, clear coat in the original Colorado Orange was applied with several new body seals, gaskets and trim pieces. Receipts are included. Engine bay and trunk show largely original paint. Under my care, the euro nose which featured a late model grille was corrected with an early nose at a cost of nearly $3000. I also sourced really nice belt line trim many pieces of which are new along with new attachment hardware. Floors, frame rails, spare tire well and rear shock towers are in great condition.

The 2002’s second owner brought it to North Carolina in 2001 where Shade Tree Garage in Raleigh provided service until about 2009. Their documented repairs include a new front windshield and gasket, water pump, thermostat, belts, transmission, throw out bearing, guibo, U-joints, center support bearing with balancing, Bilstein front struts, control arms, Ansa mid pipe, rear wheels cylinders rear brake shoes, and AC compressor.

There was a brief third owner who kept the car stored in his garage driving it approximately 500 miles over three years. He installed the European flush front turn signals. I purchased the 2002 from him in April 2013 and have since installed new front brake pads with flexible lines and rotors, rear wheels cylinders, a Weber 38DGES carburetor, Pertronix Ignitor, Bavarian Auto high performance plug wires, H&R sport springs, Bilstein HD shocks, Ansa center exit sport muffler and Ireland Engineering strut tower bar and front and rear sway bars. For highway driving, I swapped the stock 4-speed for a Getrag 245 5-speed with the stronger 6-bolt guibo, new center support bearing, new clutch slave cylinder and a complete Sachs clutch kit. That is the best improvement one can make to a 2002. I also added new Panasport 15x6” wheels with Dunlop Direzzas DZ101 tires.

The 2002’s interior sports rally badges from 1971. There are minor dash cracks with some past repair but nothing offensive. Carpet is new esty salt and pepper with black and grey coco mats. There are 3-point belts in the front and new lap belts in the back. A third brake light was added to the rear parcel tray. Trunk bottom and side panels are freshly covered in grey vinyl. Original door panels just backed with new aardvarc wood panels and new clips. Front seats are beautifully reupholstered e21 Recaros with matching rear seat. Headliner has no noticeable tears or stains. The sought after original silver dollar gauges all work including the tachometer. Steering wheel is NOS Momo from early nineties. Most interior updates were completed in October 2018.

The “Colorado Rocket” as it was affectionately referred to by its original owner in included correspondence runs and drives wonderfully. With a halfway press of the pedal, cold starts are easy with the Weber’s electric choke and Pertronix electronic ignition. The sport springs provide a subtle stance improvement but really make it handle nicely combined with the Bilstein HDs and bigger Ireland Engineering sway bars. The AC is working but do not expect modern cooling with a Clardy unit from the 70’s. I prefer opening the vent windows and factory sunroof. Hella H4s provide illumination at night. Signals, horn, heater blower and wipers all work. A remotely operated vehicle alarm can be set to disable the ignition. A new Nakamichi head unit has Bluetooth audio and USB input for music or charging.

The car has a very honest exterior based on careful use. Paint has a consistent deep shine and has been well maintained over the years with only small imperfections. There are minor cracks low and just behind the rear wheels where the rubberized undercoating applied to those areas broke loose. These areas are barely noticed when looking at the overall exterior of the car. Chrome and original optional bumper guards look great. There is paperwork on the dealer added accessories and even an original tire care guide that was mailed after purchase.

It would be difficult to find a nicer, more well cared for 2002 with such extensive documentation. It’s been to every Vintage since 2013 including this year’s event in Hot Springs, NC where my wife drove it with our daughter. I followed in my 1971 2002 that was awarded People’s Choice. It was photographed attending the 02-02-02 event in Spartanburg, SC and has been pictured in BMW CCA event promotions. I am confident the new owner will be delighted with this car.