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cape Town - The only BMW 2002 Turbo that exists in Africa will be a star attraction at the first Concours South Africa event at the Sun City Hotel from September 9-11 2016.
What’s more, this particular car was once owned by Nicky Oppenheimer, son of Harry Oppenheimer and grandson of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, who controlled the wealthy De Beers and Anglo American diamond and mining operations in South Africa.
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The car is now owned by Johannesburg businessman Jack Kaplan.
Europe's first turbocharged car
The BMW 2002 Turbo is famous for being Europe’s first production turbocharged car.
The 2002 Turbo was essentially a hand-built car assembled by a special team operating within the BMW production facility in Munich, Germany. It was only ever built in left-hand-drive form and just over 1400 BMW 2002 Turbos were built.
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The 2002 Turbo is instantly recognisable by its deep front spoiler and fender flares that were riveted onto the standard 2002 coupe body. It also had special wider wheels, and the distinctive BMW Motorsport stripes in blue and a pinkish-orange- red on the flanks and spoiler.
Turbo legends were placed on the nose, initially in reverse form spelling, so that drivers of ordinary cars could see that it was a “turbo” approaching fast in their rear view mirrors!
Four cylinders in a line
The engine was a two-litre straight four, as designed by the famous Paul Rosche, fitted with a KKK turbocharger and Kugelfischer fuel injection. Inside the interior was fairly ordinary, apart from special bucket seats, a sport steering wheel and a boost gauge.
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In 1974 it was good for a seven-second 0-100km/h time and a top speed of 210km/h, indecently quick for the time!
Kaplan’s car runs later spec BBS alloy wheels, which many 2002 Turbo owners world-wide have retro-fitted. He has owned the car for 18 years.
The following categories have been identified for the inaugural Concours SA and Show and Shine events.
• Leisure & Utility up to 1980
• Leisure & Utility post 1980
• Sports Cars up to 1980
• Sports Cars post 1980
• Luxury Saloon up to 1980
• Luxury Saloon post 1980
• American Muscle
• Super Cars up to 1980
• Super Cars post 1980
Visit Concours SA for more information on the event.
