1st 2002 tii prototype in America

[JohnP_02]

I saw this posted on Instagram and thought it deserved to have a proper post here on the faq. I will just quote the post “The first 2002tii in America. Neither European or U.S. spec, but a one-off, factory built mix. Max Hoffman imported this very car to Ann Arbor, to the EPA’s test lab to certify the fuel injected-2002 for sale in the American market. It lived a quiet life in Michigan until a few years ago, when it was found on Craigslist by the current owner. Never been restored, 41,000 original miles. Quiet, tight, fast and a window into what made the company great when it had almost nothing to lose and almost everything to prove. A happy little time capsule and one of the sweetest driving cars ever met.” Again, this is a quote from the IG post and NM/NA. It is amazing that his friend just found this hanging out on Craigslist. It could be the most valuable tii ever produced! Would have been nice to see more pictures, but there were only these two posted.  

 

Maybe someone has more information or history on this? J

 

 

Edited June 23, 2018 by JohnP_02

[SydneyTii]

?

[adawil2002]

Wonder what the VIN is. It is US spec '72 according to the front bumper. Also it has the front reflectors, side marker lights, rear reflectors and us license plate lights. Nice old BMW 'no space' CCA sticker in the lower center rear window.

 

Think the story is dubious at best.

 

 

[jgerock]

I posted a picture of the letter from Bob Murphy (the tii register) published in the October 1999 Bimmer Magazine on my Instagram account a while ago.

 

"So far, I have found the first cars built each year, plus VIN 2700177, the 1971 EPA Certification Vehicle."

[David Layton]

Wonder if this car could eventually find its way to the BMWCCA museum.... 

[jgerock]

49 minutes ago, JohnP_02 said:

I saw this posted on Instagram and thought it deserved to have a proper post here on the faq. I will just quote the post “The first 2002tii in America. Neither European or U.S. spec, but a one-off, factory built mix. Max Hoffman imported this very car to Ann Arbor, to the EPA’s test lab to certify the fuel injected-2002 for sale in the American market. It lived a quiet life in Michigan until a few years ago, when it was found on Craigslist by the current owner. Never been restored, 41,000 original miles. Quiet, tight, fast and a window into what made the company great when it had almost nothing to lose and almost everything to prove. A happy little time capsule and one of the sweetest driving cars ever met.” Again, this is a quote from the IG post and NM/NA. It is amazing that his friend just found this hanging out on Craigslist. It could be the most valuable tii ever produced! Would have been nice to see more pictures, but there were only these two posted.  

 

Maybe someone has more information or history on this? J

 

 

Navy or Black interior?

[Conserv]

Very interesting. If true — I’d like to see something beyond “some guy told me” — a very important car. Looks gorgeous presently: EPA test mule or not.

 

3.45 diff?

 

Hey, Ryan,

 

How’d you like to turn that April ‘71 tii of yours into “the other EPA test mule”?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2018 by Conserv

[oh2ryan]

13 minutes ago, Conserv said:

Very interesting. If true — I’d like to see something beyond “some guy told me” — a very important car. Looks gorgeous presently: EPA test mule or not.

 

3.45 diff?

 

Hey, Ryan,

 

How’d you like to turn that April ‘71 tii of yours into “the other EPA test mule”?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Steve,

 

It may be doable, I won’t have to fudge my VIN too much if 2700177 was the first one brought state side. That’s only a couple hundred ahead, one of the closest I’ve seen yet.

 

-Ryan

[oh2ryan]

Question.

 

If emissions increase with compression ratio, I wonder how the early tii’s were received by the EPA. The early VIN 71 tii’s had higher compression, see screenshot. I guess the OP stated this was neither a US or a Euro example. I am guessing that would have been one big altered for US consumption; not including the 9.5-10:1 m10. 

 

[73tiiDavidPA]

2700132 is an Italian market car that currently lives in SC.  While not a “tii test mule”, it might be the earliest tii stateside

[ray_]

If it's the car I think it is, Ben T bought it off CL. 

 

It has a cloth interior, the 3.45 diff and other unique items.

 

Cheers,

[oh2ryan]

13 minutes ago, 73tiiDavidPA said:

2700132 is an Italian market car that currently lives in SC.  While not a “tii test mule”, it might be the earliest tii stateside

 

Nice, I am 2700497, also an Italian tii. Who owns #132?

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, oh2ryan said:

Question.

 

If emissions increase with compression ratio, I wonder how the early tii’s were received by the EPA. The early VIN 71 tii’s had higher compression, see screenshot. I guess the OP stated this was neither a US or a Euro example. I am guessing that would have been one big altered for US consumption; not including the 9.5-10:1 m10. 

 

 

I’d guess the EPA test vehicle had a 9.0 or 9.5 compression ratio. I only bring up the possibility of the 9.5 CR because some credible sources claim the early U.S.-spec tii’s sported a 9.5 CR, with the 121 head, before U.S. cars down-shifted to a 9.0 CR.

 

There are plenty of members here who can comment on this.

 

Steve

 

[73tiiDavidPA]

1 hour ago, oh2ryan said:

Nice, I am 2700497, also an Italian tii. Who owns #132?

 

A gentleman out of Charleston, SC.  We both had our cars at the Hilton Head show last fall.  I'm not sure if he is on this board or not.  His first name is Robert.  He's the second owner from 1994 onward, it's Agave and tan with @ 73k miles, original condition.   Not sure what alloys it wears, but they are original equipment.  My original '73 Verona looked weak sitting next to his.    

Edited June 23, 2018 by 73tiiDavidPA
typo

[John_in_VA]

Robert (Bob) Payne was in the Navy & in the DC area before moving to SC.  He operated Campobello Cars & a B&B nearby.  He had an Italian tii with the alloys - might be him.