1972 BMW 2002

For Sale: 1972 BMW 2002 – Imagineering Performance Build - Fully Restored

Offered for sale is this show-quality 1972 BMW 2002—fully restored, mechanically refined, and flawlessly presented in its original Malaga deep burgundy over a Saddle Brown interior. This “roundie” coupe represents the crown of BMW's beloved 02 Series: a Concours-level hot rod built with no compromises, blending originality, period-correct aesthetics, and modern mechanical upgrades.

This example was first imported to New York in May of 1972. The current owner purchased it in 1993, with documentation dating back to 1984, and drove it daily for two decades. In recent years, he commissioned a no-expense-spared, open-checkbook restoration to create a legacy vehicle. The result is one of the finest 2002s we've seen—executed with passion and precision by a builder who left no detail untouched.

Body & Exterior
The restoration began with a full glass-out, bare-metal, subframe-removed respray by Arvid Unterseher at Classic Restoration in Longmont, Colorado. Every panel was evaluated, repaired, or replaced with OEM BMW sheet metal. Over 400 labor hours went into the bodywork alone. All trim, glass, seals, bumpers, and lenses were replaced—many with rare new old stock pieces. The car is a slicktop (no sunroof), features Hella H4 headlights, and has had the side markers deleted for a cleaner Euro-style look. The Malaga paintwork is deep and flawless. There is no rust anywhere—top or bottom. The underside is immaculate, with refinished subframes and a fresh suspension, fuel, and brake line system.

Engine & Mechanical
Under the hood lies the true soul of this 2002: a hand-built Imagineering Paul Burke M10 hot rod engine. Displacement remains at 2.0 liters, but nearly every component has been upgraded or replaced to competition-grade specs. Highlights include:

Imagineering CNC 3D domed 11:1 pistons
4130 piston pins, advanced ring pack, all balanced internals
BMW E30 1.8i cylinder head with multi-angle valve job
Imagineering A31 camshaft, dual valve springs, new rockers and shafts
Mikuni 33mm side-draft carbs with velocity stacks and electronic fuel pump
Stahl 1 ⅝” header, Bavaria resonator, and OEM 2002 Turbo muffler
Tii distributor with Pertronix ignition, Bosch coil, and Tii low-mount alternator
Triple-row radiator with Spal electric pusher fan
New oil pump, timing chain, guides, and tensioner

The engine is paired to a Getrag G245 5-speed manual gearbox with a new 228mm clutch assembly and custom driveshaft. Power is sent to a 3.91 limited-slip differential.

Suspension & Chassis
The chassis is tuned for spirited road driving with Bav Auto sport springs, Bilstein sport shocks, Bav Auto sway bars (19mm front, 16mm rear), and all new bushings and ball joints. Top End Performance front and rear shock tower braces are installed, and the rear brace also houses the relocated battery for improved weight distribution. The steering is tight with no dead zones. The brakes are fully restored and plumbed with stainless brake lines.

Wheels & Tires
Genuine 15-inch Minilite wheels are wrapped in 195/55R Yokohama S-Drive tires. Includes matching full-size spare. The wheels are freshly refinished and wear new Roundel caps.

Interior
Inside, the car has been completely restored in two-tone Saddle Brown and Black.
Highlights include:
Recovered Corbeau front seats with matching reupholstered rear bench
New Saddle Brown door cards, new headliner, new carpet throughout
Crack-free NOS dashboard, rebuilt heater box, new center console
3-spoke Personal steering wheel with period patina
Manual windows, new door seals, and rebuilt wiper/fresh air controls

The interior is odor-free, clean, and quiet. No stereo is installed-the induction symphony of the dual Mikunis is the only soundtrack you'll need.

The car fires immediately and runs strong, cold or hot. The carbs breathe through velocity stacks, delivering an intoxicating induction sound. Acceleration is linear, strong, and smooth across the rev range. The 5-speed gearbox shifts precisely with fresh bushings, and the clutch is perfectly dialed in. The suspension is tight and composed without being harsh. The LSD provides excellent traction, and the brakes are confident and balanced. There are no leaks, no overheating, and no driveline vibrations—this car is absolutely dialed.

This is a turn-key, 2002 that performs as well as it presents. It has been fully restored with obsessive attention to detail and mechanical excellence. From the Malaga paint to the Saddle Brown interior, from the fire-breathing Imagineering engine to the subtle side-marker delete, this build respects the car's heritage while elevating its performance in every way.

This 2002 benefits from a comprehensive list of high-quality upgrades and restorations, including:

Powertrain:
• Imagineering Paul Burke Hot Rod M10 2.0L 4-cylinder engine
• CNC 3D domed 11:1 high-compression pistons
• 4130 piston pins with new piston pin locks
• Plated steel 1.2mm top ring
• Reverse torsional twist 1.5mm second ring
• 3.0mm oil control ring set
• Glycol main bearings
• Kolbenschmidt rod bearings
• Resized connecting rods with new rod bolts
• Decked block
• New rear main seal and front crank seal
• New oil pump, sprocket, and oil pump chain
• BMW E30 1.8i cylinder head
• Multi-angle valve job, new intake and exhaust valves
• New valve guides and Viton valve seals
• B35 dual valve springs with retainers and locks
• Imagineering A31 high-performance camshaft
• Adjustable cam sprocket
• New rocker arms and rocker shafts
• Single-row timing chain conversion
• New guides and tensioner
• Goetze head gasket
• All rotating assembly internally balanced
• Mikuni 33mm dual side-draft carburetors with velocity stacks
• Electronic fuel pump with cable-pull throttle linkage
• Tii distributor with Pertronix electronic ignition trigger
• Bosch high-density coil
• Tii low-mount alternator
• 1 ⅝" Stahl high-flow header
• BMW Bavaria center resonator
• OEM BMW 2002 Turbo rear muffler
• Triple-row radiator with Spal electric pusher fan
• New water pump

Cooling & Electrical:
• Triple-row radiator
• Spal electric pusher fan
• Rewired for modified engine with new harness
• Rebuilt wiper motor and fresh air controls

Transmission & Driveline:
• Getrag G245 5-speed manual transmission
• New 228mm clutch assembly
• 3.91 Limited Slip Differential
• Custom driveshaft

Suspension & Handling:
• Bilstein sport shocks
• Bavarian Autosport sport springs
• 19mm Bav Auto front sway bar
• 16mm Bav Auto rear sway bar
• Top End Performance front and rear shock tower braces (rear includes battery mount)
• New front upper shock mounts
• New front ball joints
• New tie rod and drag link assemblies
• New idler arm bushings

Brakes & Lines:
• Front disc brakes
• Rear drum brakes
• Stainless steel braided brake lines

Exterior & Body:
• Slicktop coupe (no sunroof)
• Malaga Red paint (original color)
• Complete bare-metal, glass-out body restoration
• All new trim, bumpers, seals, and lenses
• Hella H4 headlights
• Front and rear side marker delete
• Refinished and painted front/rear subframes

Wheels & Tires:
• 15-inch Genuine Minilite aluminum wheels
• 195/55R15 Yokohama S-Drive tires
• Matching Minilite full-size spare included

Interior & Cabin:
• Fully restored interior
• Two-tone Black and Saddle Brown Corbeau front seats
• Matching reupholstered rear seat
• NOS (new old stock) crack-free dashboard
• New Saddle Brown door cards
• New headliner
• New carpet throughout
• New center console
• Personal 3-spoke steering wheel with light patina
• Rebuilt heater box
• Manual windows
• Rewired electrical system with new harness
• No stereo
• Quiet and odor-free cabin with all new door/window seals

Extras:
• Binder of service records dating back to 1984
• Complete photo documentation of the restoration
• BMW repair manual included
• Matching full-size spare wheel and tire
• Extensive documentation included

If you are seeking one of the finest BMW 2002s available anywhere—one that could win awards at a show in the morning, carve canyon roads in the afternoon, and still be polished enough to take out on a date night—this is that car. It combines obsessive attention to detail, period-correct aesthetics, and modern performance upgrades into a truly turn-key example that stands out even among the most carefully restored 2002s. Every component, from the paintwork and interior to the hand-built Imagineering powertrain, reflects craftsmanship at the highest level. Whether you're a collector looking to add a showpiece to your stable or an enthusiast ready to experience the best-driving version of BMW's most iconic coupe, this 2002 delivers without compromise.

This 1972 BMW 2002 is now offered For Sale by V Fine Motorcars in Austin, Tx. Contact us today to schedule a viewing or request additional documentation.