1967 BMW 1600-02

“This is a very early example of the 1600-02 and is believed to be the first example imported into the UK,” explains the vendor. “BMW Group has confirmed the following: ‘BMW 1600 rhd (VIN: 1550150) was manufactured on June 26th, 1967, and delivered on July 5th to the UK. The original colour was Chamonix, paint code 085.’”

The BMW was delivered new to Jersey and spent most of its life there before being imported to the UK in 2017.. “There is a lot of history with the car and the mileage showing just under 52k miles is believed to be genuine. It has been a rolling restoration with most of the work carried out whilst in Jersey, by the highly regarded Le Riche Automobile (www.leriche.com).”

Whilst in the UK, the vendor has continued the process of fettling and improving the car. “It remains very original and retains much of the original trim, as well as its toolkit, jack and spare wheel. I’ve recently upgraded some exterior trim parts and fitted a new set of carpet mats in the cabin and boot area. Two sets of wheels are provided; a set of genuine BMW alloy wheels in the correct fitment for the car (with modern Michelin tyres) and the original steel wheels and hub caps (with Michelin classic tyres fitted).”

During his ownership the vendor has always kept the car in a humidity controlled Carcoon storage system, only using it on dry days during the summer months.

“I never tire of the elegant design and pure lines of the Michelotti design when walking towards the 1600-02,” says the vendor. It’s no wonder, as this remains a beautifully clean example of the breed.

Finished in Chamonix White (085), this older restoration is still holding up very well; paint finish is in good order albeit some paint micro bubbles, the vinyl sunroof remains in good condition and during the vendor’s ownership the original aluminium trim parts (front grille, bonnet, boot, and side trims) have been refurbished to be as good as possible, although carry a few small dents, here and there. Other items replaced include the rubber trims around the bumper mounts, rubber on the bumper overriders, headlight lenses, front corner reflectors, and rear number plate lights. The front & rear bumpers would benefit from re-chroming. Please come and inspect the car yourselves.

All this adds up to a strong aesthetic that’s aided and abetted by the alloy wheels, which are original BMW parts and alongside the Michelin tyres cost £1500. As stated earlier, the original steel wheels are also included.

For us, there is no doubt that the 1600-02 remains a wonderfully elegant looking classic car.

The big glass space is the first thing you notice when inside the car and this, along with slim pillars, endows it with fantastic all-round visibility making it feel very different to a modern car.

The 1600-02 has had a centre console with period radio fitted and a new set of carpet mats. Front windows, front quarter lights and rear side windows all open and close as intended.

The black vinyl seats remain in good nick; door cards too, are good. The instruments are in good condition and all work as they should. Up top, the headlining remains nice and clean, and the sunroof opens with a smooth action – bringing a touch of Blighty’s sun into this smart Teutonic cabin.

The boot is finished in matching carpet. Lift that and you will find a spare (steel) wheel and the original tool roll in place.

“It’s fun to drive and is like going back in time every time you step inside,” says the vendor. “It drives very well, retaining the feel of a standard car as it was back in the Sixties. The engine runs very sweetly and with 85bhp in a lightweight car it is still a brisk car, and one that likes to be driven”.

We can confirm that to be the case. Anyone sampling this will experience what a sweet example it is, and if they’ve never driven an ’02 based BMW will be blown away by just how sophisticated it is on the road.

The engine bay is in good rather than concours condition, but that’s perfectly acceptable in a smart classic car that sees regular use. The next owner could visually tittivate it if they wished, by spending a bit of time and money under the bonnet.

The underside of the car looks to be nice and solid but there is room for improvement in terms of rustproofing, as some of the applied product is past its best and has come away allowing some light surface corrosion to form.

We’d suggest the next owner either rolls their sleeves up and gets underneath or invests in a professional tidy up, to ensure longevity moving forwards.

As the vendor intimated, the car comes with a nice history file. In it you will find the V5c document, as well as its original buff logbook, and all original manuals and service maintenance book (showing stamps at 4000 and 40,000 miles). The current MoT test certificate is present and runs until 02/04/2024.

In terms of invoices there is a mixture of more modern ones and those relating to the larger works carried out during the 1600-02’s time in Jersey. It’s worth taking your time to peruse these, as they indicate the level of work carried out and show the financial outlay made by previous owners when having them carried out.

Big items recent include £2415 (04/08/2015) at Classic Motorworks for repairs to the front sections and jacking points on both sills, with upwards of £8000 spent during the car’s restoration (at Le Riche and other specialists) through the years 2009/10.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been restored and then maintained to a very good standard.

“I would love to keep it but have to let it go as I have recently committed to buying another, and I only have space for one classic!” the vendor’s declaration means that this lovely older restoration is now destined for a new owner and a fresh home.

BMW’s 2002 line of cars played a key part in saving the company and allowing it to flourish into the automotive behemoth that it is today; they were also bloody good to drive, too.

And they still are.

We think this perky, well-looked after example, possibly the first to have hit UK shores, will sell for somewhere between £18,000 and £24,000. For that the next owner will not only be getting a cracking little driver’s car, but a bit of history as well.

(The same model featured on Jay Leno’s Garage that is worth a watch – search for “BMW 1600 - Jay Leno’s Garage” https://youtu.be/F-PYhs2wYzI)

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at The Market’s Abingdon HQ; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.