The Pure '02 - Before Things Got Complicated

Here's a proper time capsule from when BMW still built cars with carburetors and metal dashboards. The '76 2002 represents the sweet spot of BMW's legendary '02 series - all the refinements of a decade's production, none of the emissions strangling that came later. The heart of this Bavarian box is that gutsy M10 engine - a 2.0L four-cylinder that created the template for every sport sedan that followed. With its single Solex carburetor breathing free and no catalytic converter in sight, these cars put down 100hp through a slick four-speed manual. Sure, modern hot hatches make more power, but they'll never match the mechanical purity you feel through that thin wooden steering wheel. What makes the '76 special? It's the last of the chrome-bumper cars in most markets, before safety regulations forced those chunky aluminum buffers. The interior still had those fantastic Neue Klasse gauges with orange needles that somehow look more modern than what came after. And that greenhouse visibility? Modern cars with their tank-slit windows can only dream. Don't let the boxy shape fool you - these cars handle. That independent rear suspension was ahead of its time, and at just over 2,000 pounds, the 2002 changes direction like a spooked cat. The mechanical steering might feel heavy at parking speeds, but it talks to you like an old friend once you're moving. Shopping tips? Check those shock towers and rocker panels for rust - they love to hide it. The M10 engine is nearly immortal if maintained, but neglect the valve adjustments and it'll sound like a sewing machine full of marbles. Pro tip: Factory Zebrano wood dash trim pieces are getting harder to find than honest politicians. If you spot a car with the original wood in good shape, pounce on it.