You're right, sorta. It's a Euro Spec '73 BMW 2000tii Touring . There's a bit of confusion in my mind as to the nomenclature of these cars.
"Touring" was the designator for the hatchback version of the 02 series cars (the word now denotes their station wagons). The 02s were sold in several flavors depending on engine size (1502/1602/1802/2002) but AFAIK the US only ever got the 1602 and 2002 versions of the two door sedans. The hatchback versions of all of these cars was introduced in 1971 along w a mild styling "facelift" for all 02s.
I haven't been able to figure out if any Touring models were ever officially exported to America but I'm fairly sure that in Europe the 2 liter version wore 2000 Touring (or 2000tii Touring) badges. It is possible that there was a US market version wearing a "2002 Touring" badge.
Then there's the ongoing controversy over the styling of the Touring version vis a vis the trunkback 2 doors. IIRC the collector marketplace assigns a small premium for Touring models FW that's worth.
Yeah, I think they are worth a little more. I have an affinity for wagons and hatches, but I don't think that looks better than the stock coupe.
I have the same affinity but I think the 2000tii Touring is the best looking and generally most desirable of all the 02s. I've got a nice 1/18th scale model of one that looks just like the car in the photo.
The 58 GM models were controversial in styling and many have definite opinions. I didn't mind the Buick, but was kind of flat on the Olds that year.
For the record, here's a 58 Olds>
Really over-chromed but IMHO a little more coherent than the Buick. I don't think there's much controversy about the '58s, most folks consider 1958 the nadir of American styling but to each his own.
Kind of ironic though given that many consider 57 an apex year for styling particularly over at Ford and Chrysler. Goes to show 1 year can really make a difference. While Chrysler products didn't change their looks all that much, Fomoco did to a lot of disagreement from buyers.
IIRC the 57 and 58 GM models are what brought Harley Earl down leading to a new Bill Mitchell era.
Earl retired from GM in 1958 at age 65 so the flamboyant '59s were also done under his tutelage but I'm not sure he was forced out. 1957-58 were recession years so all the automakers had problems. In any case one shouldn't be remembered for the worst thing they had ever done and the styling departments were under tremendous pressure to create a new look practically every year.
A few short years before he retired Earl's stylists were doing some of the best designs of any era.
The mid 50's GM cars were very nice. I also liked the Buick and Olds. You never know from different books and articles you read, but I recall several saying that the 59 GM styling was different from what Earl had proposed and that he was not all that involved in them. Their radical style change was spurred on by some early access to viewing Exner's 57 design. But you have to give Mitchell credit for those many beautiful 60's designs. Both styling expertise helped GM hold a commanding market lead in those days.
IIRC the 57 and 58 GM models are what brought Harley Earl down leading to a new Bill Mitchell era.
Earl retired from GM in 1958 at age 65 so the flamboyant '59s were also done under his tutelage but I'm not sure he was forced out. 1957-58 were recession years so all the automakers had problems. In any case one shouldn't be remembered for the worst thing they had ever done and the styling departments were under tremendous pressure to create a new look practically every year.
A few short years before he retired Earl's stylists were doing some of the best designs of any era.
That was kind of poor wording when I look at it. I wasn't trying to put Harley Earl or his career down based on his last models. Harley Earl was probably the most influential designer in automobile history, no doubt. He made art and style a key component of automobiles. Bill Mitchell is right up there too and I think some of his 60's designs moved GM back to the classic looks of the mid 50's. I've always been interested in the 59 GM cars. Part of that may have been seeing them revealed as a young kid and feeling it just felt in with the times of Sputnik and the space age and living near O'Hare as a kid, the new B707, DC8 and Convair 880/990 jet age.
I don't believe that Earl was forced out. I'm pretty sure he retired at the mandatory age back then. However, I think he may have lost some influence toward the very end of his career. That's probably not all that unusual given his long career. I've seen pictures of his clay's for the proposed 59 models and they were kind of puffed out 58's. In 57 I think Exner's Mopars, and really some of Fomoco's designs as well, made GM's 57 cars look a bit dated. I've read various articles on how many of the designers weren't happy with the original 59 product design plans and when several of them saw Exner's 57's prototypes GM went into a crisis redesign effort with a dedicated hand picked design group, and Bill Mitchell was given more authority about the same time. However, I'll be the first to admit that articles and books can be skewed by the opinion of the author and/or their references used. As you know, the 59/60 GM design was not really a hit. Fortunately the 59/60 designs at the competitors weren't exactly on fire either with buyers. If you like American Motors, that was probably good news for Rambler. What I find kind of interesting about the 59 GM designs is that neither Earl, nor Mitchell are really associated with it when you study 59 models, probably because of its commercial response.
That Nomad you pictured is gorgeous and a classic. I think the 58 Impala is too. But personally, I've always preferred the Pontiac versions which I guess is kind of opposed to what the car collector circuit feels.
That's exactly right, it looks very much like the '86 version that I owned. Oddly the carbuerated '85 had 20 more HP than the 200HP '86 which was the first Mustang to feature EFI.
Yes, the coachwork is Latin American - note the above answer re the basic car which would have been from Central Europe.
Sorry to you all for delay in replying - this is due to the time difference here compared with you - its just after 6 pm in London and I've just come in from work.
It is a Skoda, apparently a 1200 or possibly a 1201 estate, with body by Geronimo Gnecco, who were an Argentinina coach builder -they specialised in buses and were based in Buenos Aries.
They built about 100 of these - there were tariff barriers to imported cars and with locally produced bodies they attracted less tax.
Aw come on Magnette, either give us a clue or tell us what it is.
Yes I'm sorry about that as I was away from the computer for a bit and should have come back sooner - it was such an obscure car but I couldn't get over the fact that apparently they made over 100 of these, so not so obscure in another way.
Comments
. There's a bit of confusion in my mind as to the nomenclature of these cars.
"Touring" was the designator for the hatchback version of the 02 series cars (the word now denotes their station wagons). The 02s were sold in several flavors depending on engine size (1502/1602/1802/2002) but AFAIK the US only ever got the 1602 and 2002 versions of the two door sedans. The hatchback versions of all of these cars was introduced in 1971 along w a mild styling "facelift" for all 02s.
I haven't been able to figure out if any Touring models were ever officially exported to America but I'm fairly sure that in Europe the 2 liter version wore 2000 Touring (or 2000tii Touring) badges. It is possible that there was a US market version wearing a "2002 Touring" badge.
Then there's the ongoing controversy over the styling of the Touring version vis a vis the trunkback 2 doors. IIRC the collector marketplace assigns a small premium for Touring models FW that's worth.
Yes those are most likely E21 rims.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I've got a nice 1/18th scale model of one that looks just like the car in the photo.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
What? No portholes?
No portholes.
And I'll throw in the 1968 Pontiac Ventura.
EXTRA bonus points: What is special about the little chrome squares?
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Really over-chromed but IMHO a little more coherent than the Buick. I don't think there's much controversy about the '58s, most folks consider 1958 the nadir of American styling but to each his own.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
A few short years before he retired Earl's stylists were doing some of the best designs of any era.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
A few short years before he retired Earl's stylists were doing some of the best designs of any era.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
I don't believe that Earl was forced out. I'm pretty sure he retired at the mandatory age back then. However, I think he may have lost some influence toward the very end of his career. That's probably not all that unusual given his long career. I've seen pictures of his clay's for the proposed 59 models and they were kind of puffed out 58's. In 57 I think Exner's Mopars, and really some of Fomoco's designs as well, made GM's 57 cars look a bit dated. I've read various articles on how many of the designers weren't happy with the original 59 product design plans and when several of them saw Exner's 57's prototypes GM went into a crisis redesign effort with a dedicated hand picked design group, and Bill Mitchell was given more authority about the same time. However, I'll be the first to admit that articles and books can be skewed by the opinion of the author and/or their references used. As you know, the 59/60 GM design was not really a hit. Fortunately the 59/60 designs at the competitors weren't exactly on fire either with buyers. If you like American Motors, that was probably good news for Rambler. What I find kind of interesting about the 59 GM designs is that neither Earl, nor Mitchell are really associated with it when you study 59 models, probably because of its commercial response.
That Nomad you pictured is gorgeous and a classic. I think the 58 Impala is too. But personally, I've always preferred the Pontiac versions which I guess is kind of opposed to what the car collector circuit feels.
There are 160 squares in the grille of the '58 Buick. I bet THAT is fun to restore...phew!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
No - its not Dutch, but the basic car is from Central Europe
Yes, the coachwork is Latin American - note the above answer re the basic car which would have been from Central Europe.
Sorry to you all for delay in replying - this is due to the time difference here compared with you - its just after 6 pm in London and I've just come in from work.
Ok - we're not going anywhere with this one.
It is a Skoda, apparently a 1200 or possibly a 1201 estate, with body by Geronimo Gnecco, who were an Argentinina coach builder -they specialised in buses and were based in Buenos Aries.
They built about 100 of these - there were tariff barriers to imported cars and with locally produced bodies they attracted less tax.
Here's the rear shot
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
?He already did.
Would that Toyota be an SR5 version of the Corolla?
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Lux Citroen would be DS21 Pallas.