BMW 2000CS

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Launched in 1965, the BMW New Class Coupé, styled by Bertone, was one of the most handsome cars ever to emerge from the BMW design office.

Introduced just after the 3200CS coupé was discontinued, the styling was based on the 3200CS and the New Class Saloon, but the front of the car was all-new. The headlights were behind a glass fairing, and the grill featured the familiar BMW ‘double-kidney’ design at the centre. Sleek and shark-like, it had a wonderfully elegant and airy cockpit with slim windscreen pillars, a large glass area and a beautifully restrained wooden dash. The later E9 coupés, including the 3.0CSL, were based on a stretched 2000CS chassis.

Built for BMW by Karmann in Osnabrück from 1965 to 1969, the BMW New Class Coupé, sold as the BMW 2000C or the BMW 2000CS, featured the new 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated, single overhead camshaft, 2-litre version of the M10 engine. The single-carburettor 2000C delivered 100bhp while the twin carb 2000CS produced 120bhp and could reach 60mph in 10.4 seconds with a top speed of 110mph. Both versions used a four-speed manual transmission as standard, while the 2000C was available with a three-speed automatic transmission as an optional extra.

Of the 11,720 New Class coupés built between 1965 and the end of production in mid-1969, 9,999 were twin carburettor 2000CS coupés, 3,249 were single carburettor 2000C coupés with automatic transmission, and 443 were 2000C coupés with manual transmission.

This rare, RHD late-model twin-carburettor 2000CS came into the vendor’s hands as a project in 2012. It joined a lengthy queue of cars already needing attention and so the vendor has decided that as he is unlikely to get round to restoring the car before he retires, it should now be passed on to someone with more time to devote to the project.

Looking remarkably complete and original, it was last used in the late 1980s and has been in storage ever since. The vendor had the car running during our visit to take the photographs having commenced work on the braking system, replacing the rear cylinders and flexible hoses, although bidders are advised that the brakes are not yet in working order.

Requiring some remedial welding in the normal places and a respray, this fine looking 2000CS will nevertheless make a very rewarding project and comes with a V5C and a handbook. With just nine currently registered on the DVLA database, these fabulous looking ‘60s Teutonic masterpieces are extremely rare and justifiably highly sought after – you could wait a long time before you see another one for sale.