The BMW “New Class” is a landmark vehicle line in the Bavarian carmaker’s history that spawned a series of models including 1500 and 1800 sedans, the 2002 Touring hatchback and of course, the famed 2002tii and 2002 Turbo coupes, all of which paved the way for the birth of the 3-Series.
What BMW did not create was a pickup-truck version of the Neue Klasse in the style of the Chevrolet El Camino or the Australian Ford and Holden Utes.
So how did this 1971 model pictured here come to be? This car is the brainchild of San Francisco, California-based tuning and service company Ottowerks and it has been listed for sale on eBay.
Ottowerks says it begun with a 1971 BMW “1600”, which we assume from the body, is the 1602 coupe model. After cutting the roof from the driver’s seat and back and removing the rear seat bench, Ottowerks crafted a truck bed.
And that’s not all as the Californian tuner also swapped the car’s four-cylinder M10 engine for an M20b25, which is BMW’s internal code for the 169hp (171PS) 2.5-liter straight-six used on the E30 325i models from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.
More details on the conversion can be found in the seller’s description below.
At the time we wrote this piece, the highest bid on eBay was $11,300, though the seller’s reserve had not yet been met.
eBay Seller’s Description
I am selling a truely unique BMW that I have constructed from the tub of a 1600. To set an example for the craftsmanship of the European automotive garage I own, I choose to swap the motor and alter the tub of the car to be a truck; so that it could be used as a work truck.
I purchased a pristine, rust free, tub in 1995 without a drive-train. I then sourced a m20b25 with a geartag 5 speed manual transmission and all harness and necessary parts to convert the 1600 into a six cylinder vehicle.
The tub of the car was cut behind the b-pillar and all back seats and trunk were removed, without altering the sub-frame, to make room for a truck bed. Everything has been reenforced, weight jacked for appropriate weight dissension. All sub-frames have been updated and reenforced with delrin bushings and spacers. Front sub-frames are reenforced similar to an e36 m cabrio. A four point bolt in role cage has also been inserted for stability and protection.
The body was put together with careful planing and styling. The body has turbo flares with countersunk stainless-steel fasteners. The truck bed was crafted from a combination of lead and copper molded sheets then sealed with a rubber compound to protected and style the read shock mounts and surrounding inner fender walls. Stained Australian lace wood surrounds the the entire tub back panels of the cab. The idea to mimic the style of vintage cris craft boats.
The interior has been kept almost all stock to maintain its vintage feel. Although e36 m3 vader seats have been fitted to add to the driving experience and lend needed back support.
The truck has a personality and attitude of its own. I can easily say that there is nothing like this anywhere else on the road. It is different driving experience to have such a combination of sensations that come from the light-weighted nimbleness, the powerful poise, the openness to atmosphere, with the versatility to carry a load in the back.
The pictures just begin to do justice to the incredible machine this truck is. However times change and I am no longer in need for the truck I have had for almost two decades. I hope to find someone who wants to give this car a happy home and continues to love and drive this automobile as I have.
M20b25 with 22,000 miles on a rebuilt headGeartag 260 5 speed manual trans292 large camLarger throttle bodySplit Second (in cab air-fuel ratio adjuster)Cobra mass air flow sensorLong cone aftermarket air-filterAdjustable fuel pressure regulatorDual Remus titanium ducati exhaust silencers (stem from dual custom system)3.45 lsdBilstein shocks with lowering springsFront and back sway barsJaguar front big brakesEuro 15 basket weave wheels (with spacers)Euro turn signalsLucas rally headlights4 point bolt in role cage2002 fender turbo flaree36 m vader seats with 4 point harness (trw)custom overhead console
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