Why The 1974 BMW 2000tii Remains A Collector’s Favorite Classic Car?

The 2000tii had 38,703 editions built during its lifespan, still standing as a prized sedan for car enthusiasts. The 1974 2000tii is highly sought after due to its higher-compression fuel-injected engine and its impressive chassis. This cool car is one of the most fun to drive classic cars still available today, and it’s surprisingly affordable. It’s not uncommon for most classic cars to be fragile with poor handling, causing most drivers to wonder if accelerating too hard will cause something to break. No need to worry about that with the 1974 BMW 2000tii. This car is pretty much stuck to the tarmac and every little stone is felt through the unassisted steering wheel, shift knob and pedals.

BMW is known for building a wide variety of vehicles today, but its success which saw them lead the way in the compact sport sedan department can be traced back to the revolution of the 2000tii. It was the worldwide success of this well-engineered, stylish car that helped to cement BMW’s reputation for down right quality and performance.

The overall performance of the 1974 BMW 2000tii was impressively well-rounded, especially when you consider the fact that most pony cars were awful to drive when the road got twisty. Can you believe that a 4-speed manual was innovative at the time? The BMW 2000tii held a 2.0-liter longitudinally-mounted four-cylinder engine that was capable of producing 130 horsepower, along with 130 lb-ft of torque. With 2,200-lb total curb weight, this takes much of the credit for the impressive power-to-weight ratio. The 1974 BMW 2000tii may not scream ‘groundbreaking’ by today’s numbers, it continues to be known as joyful and thrilling to push to its 118 mph limit. Considering that in its era, speedometers only reached 85mph – this specific BMW was extremely special.

The 1974 BMW 2000tii: BMW Ramped It Up A Level

What springs to mind when ‘bathtub sill line’ is mentioned? For many people it would be the 1974 BMW 2000tii. This is a reference to the chrome-trimmed door crease that was also the shut line of the hood and trunk. Delving below the ‘water line’ are boxy sheet metal panels which are separated by slight fender ridges. It was an unusual design at the time, but a unique one at that, allowing it to clearly stand out from the boring crowd.

The 1974 BMW 2000tii ‘look’ was certainly unique when compared against the ever-present VW Beetle and the masses of American choices. The one of a kind nose of the 2000tii was unapologetically vertical, made prominent by single round lamps which sat in the corner of a black grille panel. The 1974 BMW 2000tii carried narrow kidney grilles which were very reminiscent of happier times in BMW history, such as the pre-war 328 Cabriolets.

The 1974 BMW 2000tii Has Great Style And Sophistication

Delving into the motor, and you’ll find a layout that seats 4, and will be instantly recognizable to any Series 3 owner. Quality plastic trims are used to completely finish all areas which would be seen to be painted metal on classic cars. The luxury appearance was backed-up by the center console and appealing dashboard design. These comfort qualities are easily looked over today, but were extremely rare at the time. The tii model was fitted with a large central clock, which almost engulfed the front section of the motor, but added a sense of style. Ventilation and visibility were superb, aided by the optional manual sunroof and tilt pane quarter windows.

When the 1974 BMW 2000tii hit the scene, it was greeted with instant success and rapid profitable sales. This motor was highly anticipated, and the public couldn’t wait to test it out, with deposits being placed way in advance of production. Considering that the U.S. dollar was far more worthy than gold, it made these sales incredibly important. The immense popularity of the tii version helped to salvage the reputation of the poor BMW distribution network in America, which was close to cutting ties with the car manufacturer after a couple of years of no new models since the Isetta Bubble car. At its very core, the 2000tii is a scrappy sports car which had impressive handling as well as a practical four-seat cabin and a mega trunk.

The 1974 BMW 2000tii: A Car Enthusiast’s Dream

It’s difficult to deny that the 1974 BMW 2000tii is a car collector’s dream. It defined the very basis of what BMW is made upon – quality and performance. You can expect to easily fork out between $15,000 – $23,000 for a usable example. Those examples with the very best mileage and immaculate bodywork can fetch around $30,000 and upwards.

The 1974 BMW 2000tii is a dream to drive, with the driver continuously feeling at one with the motor, with each inch of road being gently felt through the iconic chassis. This motor will continue to be remembered as an important milestone in BMW’s history, and its excellence lives on today.