1966 BMW 2000

Beginning in 1962, BMW introduced their New Class (German: Neue Klasse) line of compact sedans and coupes. The first was the 1500 and continuing through the last 2002s in 1977. Besides the power train, this new line shared little with the rest of the BMW line-up. They featured a fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and powered by a four-cylinder M10 engine.

BMW introduced the 1500 at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show and produced 23,807 examples during the production lifespan, lasting from 1962 through 1966. These were followed by the 1800, which was produced from 1964 through 1971. The 1800 was powered by a four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine. The 1600 was introduced in 1966 and remained in production until 1975. These had a 1.6-liter four-cylinder powerplant. These sports sedans model 1600 were promoted by US importer Max Hoffman, who convinced BMW to produce an attractive 2-door version of the 1500. BMW tasked Giovanni Michelotti, a talented designer who had designed the Triumph Spitfire and TR4, to create the design.

In 1966, BMW introduced their pillarless coupe body named the 2000. It was designed by Wilhelm Hofmeister and was based on the 'New Class' chassis. Karmann assembled the cars at their Osnabruck plant in northern Germany. Powering the car was an enlarged overhead-cam four-cylinder engine that displaced 121.4 cubic-inches and produced 100 DIN (113 SAE) horsepower. The two versions included the 2000C which had the 100-DIN engine with the single Solex carburetor, available with either a four-speed manual gearbox or ZF three-speed automatic. The 2000CS had a more powerful twin carbureted engine, rated at 120-DIN horsepower. It was available with only a four-speed manual gearbox.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011

Those manufacturers that had found a niche in the marketplace to survive the Great Depression were forced once again to figure out how to stay in business after World War II. BMW stayed successful with its affordable and efficient bubble car, named the Isetta. They also produced luxury cars such as the 507 and aircraft parts.

In 1959, BMW was on the brink of bankruptcy. Their Isetta vehicle had sold well for a period of time but it was quickly losing ground to the VW Beetle. A vehicle that had similar features such as excellent fuel economy and practicality, but offered more room for passengers.

Harald and Herbert Quandt provided financial backing to BMW to produce a four-door car which came known to be Neue Klasse or 'New Class'. This happened to be the savior for the struggling company. In 1962 the vehicle was debuted and dubbed the 1500. It featured a four-cylinder engine. In total, 24,000 of the 1500's were produced.

In 1964 the 1600 replaced the 1500. The 1600 was a responsive, four-door sedan that received excellent reviews from automotive tests all over the world. The 1600-2 was soon introduced. It was a sportier, two-door version of the four-door 1600 that offered more horsepower and sat atop shorter 98.4 wheelbases, thus decreasing the overall weight of the vehicle and improving performance. The 1600-2 featured a 1573cc (1600) cc engine. The additional '2' represented the number of doors. A 105 horsepower 1600Ti soon followed. BMW was once again inching closer to its sports-car roots; a heritage it had not visited since the 1930's.

Helmut Werner Bonsch and Alex von Falkenhausen, both employee's of BMW's, had independently experimented with a 2.0-liter engine in the 1602 body. The combination was a success.

In 1966, the sale of 1600's in the United States began to escalate. The press had done much to stimulate a desire for this small and responsive vehicle. The problem was that the sportier version, the 1600ti, was unable to pass the US Federal exhaust emissions regulations and thus, unable to be sold in that market. This was due to its twin-carburetor engine. The solution was to sell the 2-liter version which was able to pass the emissions regulations. So, in 1966, the 2002 was introduced.

During the life span of the 2002, which ranged from 1968 through 1976, there were three generations. The first generation was from 1968 through 1971. The second generation was built from 1971 through 1973. The third generation was built from 1973 through 1976.

From 1968 through 1976, BMW produced around 80,000 vehicles for the US market.

The vehicle produced from 1968 through 1973 can be identified by their round taillights. Vehicles built after that and through 1973 had larger bumpers and sat atop a wider track.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2011