The BMW 2002 is the ancestor of all fashionable BMW efficiency automobiles, however there’s all the time room for enchancment. Dorian Hicklin tastefully restomodded this 1973 instance and not too long ago introduced it alongside to Jay Leno’s Storage.

As he is completed with different automotive house owners, Leno requested Hicklin to return go to after seeing his automotive out and about. With that brilliant orange paint, it is exhausting to overlook. The automotive was beforehand owned by a pal of Hicklin’s, who had let it decay for a few years.

 

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 because of 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 informed Leno that he did not need 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 unit 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-Collection. 

Hicklin does not plan to maintain the finished 2002 confined to public roads. He constructed it to fulfill Classic Auto Racing Affiliation (VARA) guidelines, which means it is obtained a hearth suppression system, roll cage, trunk-mounted gasoline 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 is not with out fashion. A few of 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 nicely executed restomod, and to listen to the thrill of the tuned inline-4 as Leno and Hicklin cruise across the streets of Los Angeles.