BMW 2002 rally
The 1600-2, as the first “02 Series” BMW was designated, was an entry-level BMW, and was smaller, less expensive, and less well-appointed than the New Class Sedan on which it was based.
BMW’s design director Wilhelm Hofmeister assigned the two-door project to staff designers Georg Bertram and Manfred Rennen.
With 5 cm (2 in) shorter wheelbase and some 25 cm (10 in) shorter in length, mainly by shortening the rear deck, the lighter weight of the two-door made it more suitable than the original New Class sedan for sporting purposes.
As a result, the two door sedan became the basis of the sporting 02 Series.
Beginning in 1967, a convertible based on the 02 body was built by Karosserie Baur. The original design was a full convertible; after 1971 this was replaced by a targa-top model with fixed window frames called a “top cabriolet” (commonly referred to as a cabrio coach).
A hatchback, called the Touring model, was developed from the 02 body, being available from 1971.
Only 25,827 Touring models were sold before the bodystyle was discontinued in 1974.
At the Paris Motor Show in 1969, BMW unveiled a fastback 2002 GT4 concept car.
This model never reached production.
