The Fastest Pumpkin Around

My version of a new BMW 1-series sport hatch, in a perfect October color. While there are shorter 3- and 5-door 1-Series hatchbacks available in Europe, BMW only imports the slightly longer notchback coupe and convertible to the United States. For this chop, I've lengthened the roof of the coupe to create a svelte hatchback for our domestic market. Darkening the rocker panels, perhaps using carbon-fiber to lessen their weight, creates a longer, thinner-looking car body. I also widened the dual front "kidney" grilles, moving them all the way to the edges of the headlights. I'd like to see BMW go back to a full-width grille, as they were in the '60s and '70s, and changing their trademark "kidneys" back to being a chrome detail in the center.

1967 BMW 1002tii: Early 1 Series?

Nothin' But Blue Skies Ahead for Bimmer in the Sixties

Overall, this 1002 tii would be about a foot shorter and 250 lbs lighter than the 2002 it's based on.

Today's RetroChop is my idea of what a late 1960s "smaller-than 2002" 2 door might look like. Using the Google-found image below of an original 2002, I shortened the wheelbase behind the door, (left in photo, above). I also shortened the rear overhang and trunk by quite a bit. The front overhang has been cut back creating a shorter hood. I made a lot of detail changes to the bumpers and lights, and added goldtone BBS wheels from an Eighties 7-series, also found using Google Images. The proportions of this mythical small Bimmer from almost 45 years ago are Italianate now; think Sixties Alfa Romeo GTV coupe by Bertone. A minor touch, I lowered the door handles into the wraparound chrome strip for a cleaner look.

Of course, there was no 1-Series in the Sixties, nor "1002tii" model, but we can always wonder...

Original 2002 image used to create my mythical 1002tii model, top photo. Found using Google Images.