The BMW 2002 is the ancestor of all trendy BMW efficiency automobiles, however there’s at all times room for enchancment. Dorian Hicklin tastefully restomodded this 1973 instance and lately introduced it alongside to Jay Leno’s Storage.
As he is accomplished with different automotive house owners, Leno requested Hicklin to come back go to after seeing his automotive out and about. With that shiny orange paint, it is onerous to overlook. The automotive was beforehand owned by a pal of Hicklin’s, who had let it decay for a few years.
1973 BMW 2002 restomod on Jay Leno’s Storage
After making a deal for the automotive, Hicklin undertook a full rotisserie rebuild of the physique and chassis. However he did not go away it 100% inventory. The entrance bumper was deleted for a cleaner look, and the automotive rides decrease due to aftermarket adjustable suspension.
The two.0-liter inline-4 was bored out, obtained new carburetors, a extra aggressive camshaft, heavy responsibility lifter springs and valves, and an Alpina exhaust system. Hicklin instructed Leno that he did not wish to go too loopy with the modifications, however nonetheless estimates an output of between 150 and 160 hp (the automotive hand’t been dyno examined when this video was filmed). That is a wholesome enhance over the roughly 100 hp of the inventory model.
And whereas the 2002 left the manufacturing facility with a 4-speed guide transmission, Hicklin swapped in a 5-speed guide and rear limited-slip differential from a later E21 BMW 320. The brakes are from an E12 5-Sequence.
Hicklin would not plan to maintain the finished 2002 confined to public roads. He constructed it to satisfy Classic Auto Racing Affiliation (VARA) guidelines, which means it is acquired a hearth suppression system, roll cage, trunk-mounted gas cell, and race-ready seats and harnesses. Whereas the 2002 will see some observe days, Hicklin mentioned he additionally left the suspension compliant sufficient for comfy on-road driving.
Whereas the inside is fairly spartan, it isn’t with out model. Among the distinctive touches embody plaid seats, a drilled shift knob, and a dashboard sourced from a BMW 3.0 CSL.
Watch the complete video for extra particulars on this properly executed restomod, and to listen to the excitement of the tuned inline-4 as Leno and Hicklin cruise across the streets of Los Angeles.
