1969 BMW 2002 Race Car

Henry Schmitt Collection

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Sold

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All Exterior Interior Engine Trunk Documentation

At a Glance

Seller
schmitthe
Location
San Francisco, CA
Vehicle Make/Model
BMW 2002
Vin No.
1567228

Exterior
White with racing livery
Interior
Full race interior
Engine
1990cc inline 4-cylinder
Engine No.
2375191

Transmission
320i Euro C/R 5-speed manual transmission
Suspension
Bilstein shocks and shorter, stiffer race springs
Brakes
Front disc and rear drum brakes

1969 BMW 2002 Race Car

BMW’s line of “Neue Klasse” (New Class) sedans and coupes built between 1962 and 1977 solidified the company’s success after it overcame financial troubles during the 1950s. These models would go on to establish BMW’s success and the popularity of its sports sedans for decades to come. The project was led by Fritz Fiedler with Eberhard Wolff heading up chassis design and Wilhelm Hofmeister leading the styling and Alex von Falkenhausen in charge of engine design. This team would go on to produce BMW’s first model with a new engine since 1933. The first prototype was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1961 as the BMW 1500. The four-door saloon appeared with the BMW 3200 CS, which was the last BMW with the OHV V8 engine. The first New Class model was the 1500. It was a four-door compact executive car with the new M10 OHC 4-cylinder engine. An earlier designed prototype engine for the BMW 700 provided the starting point for the M10. The engine was leaned over to the right at a 30º angle which allowed for the low hood line styling of the car. The 2000C and 2000CS luxury coupes were added to the range in 1965 and then were replaced by the 6-cylinder E9 2800CS in 1969.

The BMW 2002 made its debut in 1968. The base model had a single carburetor and just 101hp, while the 2002Ti version fitted with twin Solex 40 carburetors had a higher compression engine delivering 119hp. The 2002 is known as one of the cars that saved BMW and it certainly played a part in redefining the company’s image. A sports coupe that was well engineered and more practical that its competitors, it earned a reputation for being almost bulletproof. This is certainly one of the reasons that they have continued to be one of the most popular models of vintage race cars.

This particular 1969 BMW 2002 was purchased by the previous owner, Mr. Dick Loofburrow, specifically for this reason. In 2011 Mr. Loofburrow commissioned Racecraft of Woodinville, WA to turn chassis 1567228 into a vintage race car. The subsequent build took place between 2011 and 2013. The build was completed to the homologation form for a 1968 BMW 2002 2000cc car. The paint scheme was based on a vintage car that he had seen in a magazine racing in Britain. The car was then registered to race under SOVREN, Society of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts, in 2013. In its SOVREN registration book from 2013 it notes the specifications including a stock OHC engine, cast-iron cylinder block and aluminum head, stock 5-speed transmission, 245/10, original configuration brakes, front caliper and rear drum, fuel cell, and race seatbelts. It also states that the engine has been ported, polished and balanced.

Mr. Schmitt purchased the race-prepped 2002 in late 2013. A close-ratio 5-speed transmission was installed around 2015 as well as straight pipe exhaust and a helmet blower. An E30 differential has also been installed to accommodate wider wheels and tires. The car received an SVRA engine certification in 2017 after having work completed by Performance Motors.

Exterior

This 1969 2002 racer sports a simple white with red, white and blue racing stripe livery. The color scheme was chosen by the former owner after seeing a similar 2002 vintage racing in Britain in a vintage racecar magazine. A BMW San Francisco sticker was added to the windshield by the current owner. The exterior of the car is in excellent race ready condition. The tow hooks, hood and trunk pins, aluminum wheels and tires are all vintage racing regulation spec. While there are some dings and flaws there is nothing not expected in a used vintage race car.

Interior

The interior of this 2002 is that of a purpose-built race car with a full roll cage, Sparco steering wheel, OMP racing seat and harness. The dash and other instrumentation have been simplified to allow for easy monitoring by the driver. Safety nets have also been installed, as well as a helmet blower to keep the driver a little bit cooler on hot race days.

Engine and Drive Train

Powered by the M10 inline 4-cylinder engine with a cast iron block and aluminum head. The engine sports Weber 48 DCOE carburetors and is backed by a 320i euro C/R 5-speed transmission. The engine has been ported, polished and balanced. A fuel cell has replaced the original fuel tank set up. An E30 differential has been installed to allow for winder wheels. Bilstein shocks and shorter, stiffer race springs have also been installed.

Documentation and Spares

A binder with receipts for work completed on the car including the original race car build will be included with the sale.

Recent Race History

2013

Registered with SOVREN

Spring Sprints- April 27, 2013

Spokane Festival of Speed- May 31, 2013

CSRG Charity & Season Finale- November 1, 2013

4th Annual Spokane Festival of Speed June 7, 2014

2016

Historic Motorsports Association Logbook

2017

SVRA Engine Certification

2018

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival- June 2018

2019

Overall Class winner at Sonoma Speed Festival 2019