Save the “Kate Spade” 1971 BMW 2002

[bonson]

Price: $3500

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Description:

1971 BMW 2002—$3500/best offer

 

I’ve owned the car since 2004 when it was saved from the crusher due to a damaged cylinder head and several missing parts. I put it back together and it has been my daily driver ever since. It looked good enough from 2 angles to be featured in a 2011 Kate Spade ad campaign. It now requires restoration, here is a more comprehensive look at the car: https://dbonson.imgbb.com/albums

 

The car is registered, runs, starts, stops, drives, locks up, and has a clean, non-salvaged CA title in my name. It’s currently in Brooklyn, NY (since ’07). True mileage unknown. I drive it to work 15 miles a day 5 days a week, but one shouldn’t—the frame rails are shot and they need to be addressed ASAP. 

 

Non-original 1971 block with an E21 head. Valve seals are likely worn as the car emits smoke upon high RPM rapid deceleration. 4-speed manual transmission gets through the gears and stays in gear but shifter is sloppy and has typical synchro issue in 2nd gear. I came across crud in the Weber 32/36 recently, it’s running but would benefit from a rebuild. Cooling system works without issue in any traffic condition.

 

Tii distributer

Weber 32/36 carb

Ireland Engineering shorty header

IE stainless exhaust (2018)

Ireland Engineering front sway bar

Bilstien HDs

Recent Kumho tires (2018)

Newer clutch (2018)

Recent motor mounts (2019)

Heater box/heater valve rebuilt (2017?) New Bosch heater fan

Behr radiator-fins are bent but no leaks

Rebuilt Brake booster

Electronic fuel pump

Recent door brakes

New spark plugs

New trapezoid driver’s mirror

New shifter to transmission mounts

New Hi-beam switch

New E-flasher

Lots of things have been repaired/ replaced, I’ve kept all receipts since I’ve owned the car. 

 

There have been rust repairs made over the years that have kept it on the road, some weren’t executed particularly well including a very ugly recent repair to close up rust in the rear passenger rocker/fender area before a snowfall. You can judge me, I know it looks terrible, I'm OK with it... It's still alive. Frame rails are now completely shot. Outer rockers (front) have been replaced with new rockers (not the flimsy repair sheets). Passenger side rear rocker/fender area is in rough shape. Drivers rear fender/rocker area side needs attention but it’s not as bad. Both front floor pans have been replaced with non-factory sheet metal. Rear wheel wells were repaired years ago. Spare tire well and bottom of nose has been quickly patched with por15+fiberglass. How that has held up for 10 years I'll never know. Bondo/fiberglass areas in rear fenders want to be cut out. Lower front quarters are rusty. Driver’s door was replaced with a dry example from California in 2017, but then, course almost immediately thereafter a door brake fail caused a dent in that… some bondo is there now; bottom of passenger door is rusting out.

 

Originally Sahara, the car was Colorado when I got it. All clear coat is gone on top of the car. Lots of rattle-can orange over the years. "Patina!"

 

Decent headliner for what it is. Typical dash cracks. Back seat is in good shape. Passenger seat is pretty good, driver’s seat is worn. Carpet is aftermarket/shabby. Windshield washer pump motor dead. Non-orig odometer is intermittent. Turn signal stalk was replaced and still works but requires “finesse”.

 

In the fall of 2019 I found an '02 restorer to begin proper restorative work to the car so I started acquiring sheet metal, but then covid happened and now that ship has sailed for me. I have a new driver’s side floor pan and new passenger side frame rail frame from Restoration Design that I can include with sale. 

 

I literally can’t be anywhere near the car without someone asking about it. It’s rattiness seems to add to it’s charm for most folks. I've had countless folks ask me if I'd sell it over the years, but It’s going to be a big job so for now I’m only posting it for sale on the forum.

 

I’m happy to answer any questions.

 

THANKS

Edited February 7, 2021 by bonson
typos

[bavariaboy]

Your painfully honest description is only outdone by your photos. Bravo. I have the energy and enthusiasm but not enough years left to take this beauty on. She must be saved. 

 

Did Kate provide the license plate with the "GQ"? Was the shoot in the Rockaways or at Jones Beach?  Most won't remember that rag, "Gentleman's Quarterly" or "GQ" as it was affectionately known by the cognoscenti. 

 

Wishing you the best,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

[bonson]

Hi Steve, thanks much, I agree she must be saved. Kate Spade provided the vintage plates for the shoot, and you are close, the ad was shot at Jacob Riis.

[bavariaboy]

When was the shoot and do you think she/the ad agency made the GQ connection. Or was it just "fate"?

[bonson]

Shot in late Oct 2010. It's possible the GQ plate was a happy accident, but the design crew I interacted was quite sharp and didn't seem to leave much to fate. It was a really good day. In fact, the un-cropped version of that particular photo featured another beloved friend of mine, they had my dog and I walk along the beach in the background.

[bavariaboy]

So Sweet. They should have used the uncropped or a version of it. The old piers, the lifeguard stand, a man and his dog.

Perfect.

 

You are right about the sharpness of these ad crews. I worked in advertising as a copywriter many, many eons ago.  The time, attention, perfectionism is amazing. Nothing is left to chance, nothing. 

 

If you send me your email I will send a photo of an ad shot in my no longer willing with us mechanic's bay. Amazing how they transformed it.

 

We are snowed in so it will take some time to get to it.

 

Steve    coupecs@aol.com

[JHP2020]

That's a moving story of man and machine.

And dog. 

[LbRex]

On 2/8/2021 at 5:10 AM, bonson said:

Shot in late Oct 2010. It's possible the GQ plate was a happy accident, but the design crew I interacted was quite sharp and didn't seem to leave much to fate. It was a really good day. In fact, the un-cropped version of that particular photo featured another beloved friend of mine, they had my dog and I walk along the beach in the background.

This car is awesome, what a great story and an amazing Picture, worth keeping the car just for that

[conkitchen]

That's a steal for the money on the rust coast. 

 

[DanSedia]

This is the kind of 02 ive been looking for...its actually somewhat local, in the price range I want to be in and needs work but not past the extent of what I can get done....Alas, its bad timing and I don't have the funds at the moment ?

[ricsix]

I really wish I could take this one on; it's a beautiful car with a great story. I wish you, the car, and the future owner well!

[saaron]

Looks great, in it's own way.

 

Scott

[Jim_75Sahara]

Please rescue this one. Even if the Sahara paint job remains buried!

[cheins]

hey, i know that car.  i see it in BK all the time.  i'll send you a message

 

[bavariaboy]

Wondering if Kate has found a new home and lover? Hope so!

 

Steve