Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. BMW launched its 'Neue Klasse' ('New Class') range of compact saloons and coupés in 1962 and it is no exaggeration to say that they were the cars that saved the company. Up to that point they had been best known for making beautifully engineered but incredibly complex and expensive machines that nobody outside of Germany could either afford or understand. With its crisp, modernist styling, brilliant chassis dynamics and superb engineering, the Neue Klasse changed all that at a stroke and established BMW as a truly international brand. Although it was the 'pocket rocket' 2-litre 2002 that everyone raved about, the smaller 1600-2 and 1500-2 were arguably better cars, being better balanced and cheaper to own and run. An economy version of the 2002, the 1600-2 was launched at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1966 and was sold through 1975, with its name simplified to 1602 in 1971. With 85bhp from its M10 engine, the 1602 won friends for its excellent dynamics and brilliant handling. Now, this really is special. Purchased on 1st January 1975 from Normand (Bromley) Ltd by Mr M J Ledger, finished in Schwarz (086) with a cream leather and cord interior, this gleaming BMW 1602 was to remain in his possession until it became the property of its second owner on 11th May 2016. He, in turn, added it to his Collection using it only occasionally until it was purchased by our vendor in 2019 to add to his Collection of desirable classics. Still in remarkably original condition, this delightful little 'Beemer' has covered a total of 3, 349 miles since New Years Day 49 years ago.
The car's history file contains the full book pack, original service book, sales brochure, Haynes Manual and copy of the original V5. A Normand (Bromley) Ltd tax disc and leather key ring will also be found in their original paper bag!It's fortunate for the rest of us that there are people who will buy a new car, use it lightly on dry days, return it to their garage and strive consistently over the years to keep the car in, as close as possible, the condition in which it arrived and we would guess that this little BMW has belonged to three of those. An exceptional find and worthy of a place in any Collection.
