BMW 2002

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at Silverstone Festival 2025 - Competition Cars on Friday the 22nd of August, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN. This truly historic BMW 2002, which has been enjoyed by our vendor for nearly 30 years, has never failed to finish a rally, including the 2000 London – Sydney. Built in 1994 for the London – Mexico Rally and entered by the Metropolitan Police Motor Club, it was driven by Chief Inspector Ian James/Dick French and won the 'Spirit of the Event' award, pipping the British Army entry much to the enjoyment, we imagine, of the boys from 'the Met'.

It was subsequently rebuilt by the highly acclaimed Gordon Spooner Engineering and finished first in Class C5 on the AA Historic Circuit of Ireland, helping BMW to the 'Classic Manufacturer' Award. More success followed in 1998 with a third in class in the Coys Historic Rally of Great Britain.

In 2002, the car was fully prepared for the London to Sydney Rally by GSE under the guidance of expert Baz Cannon and this included full shell preparation, a ZF gearbox, Quaife differential, Ohlins dampers and everything to complete in this endurance test which it successfully finished. The Lester Owen M10 engine has been regularly checked over and always produces a healthy 185bhp on the dyno.

In addition to these international events, this venerable little 2002 has completed in several national events with unprecedented reliability including events against modern machinery. The car still resides with Baz Cannon’s Rally World enterprise and we understand that it has its MSA logbook and all the safety features remain current.

Fittingly, this lovely BMW, a great alternative to period rally Escorts, is finished in the BMW works colours of 1970 European Rally Champion Archim Warmbold/Tony Fall.