This BMW 1600 Neue Klasse Is A Grey Ghost

“This car draws people’s attention-mostly its vintage folks-usually 2002 owners, they say, ‘I love your 2002’ and then they realize it has four doors and the whole Neue Klasse’ story comes into play,” says Jim Huff, the owner of this rarely-seen BMW.
What is this small BMW sedan? It’s a 1600 ‘Neue Klasse’, so-named for the “new class” of cars that the company developed to save the company in the early ’60s. This car led directly to the company’s longstanding success in touring car racing, which was literally born from the 1600’s incredible performances by privateer racers in Europe. After stumbling on the car a few times-including in a gift from his wife-Huff decided to find one of his own.
“I was seeking knowledge, and trying to find one,” said Huff. He found this example on Craigslist, saying, “I wasn’t going to walk away without getting that car in some shape or form.”
“This car gets used in several ways. It does highway runs…it gets driven on the backroads of California quite a bit,” he says. “In my own right, with a group of friends that drive Alfas, Porsches, you name it-we drive the backroads alone, once or twice a month. This car’s geared to hang.”
Huff’s future plans for his Neue Klasse? To drive it, of course.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

Petrolicious: the KZbin channel that will make you feel inadequate for driving something as boring as an Aventador.

[@ItsMikeArre]

BMW+petrolicious = instant like 👍

[@marts500]

Great car..but these videos are so well produced i think they could make any car seem evocative and romantic.

[@jehl1963]

+Eric Gruntfuttock Check out the video from the first week in April.

[@lettersfromhelen]

+Eric Gruntfuttock Prove it Petrolicious; I've got an 08 Jetta automatic with a carseat in the back. Come by any day next week...

[@csfm00]

Good luck trying to convey this romantic sentiment using a Yugo :)

[@MrBodo1999]

Seriously, how does a channel like Supercars of London have more subscribers than Petrolicious? THIS IS EPIC!

[@andrewvanstaden8922]

amen to that

[@markhermens1174]

because society like BS more than art, that's why the Kardashians are stars

[@_yellow]

I guess that's a good thing because it makes Petrolicious more ''exclusive''

[@victor-emmanuel7485]

Always a treat when you guys release a new video.

[@eedoamitay3341]

That 1600 badge shot was gorgeous, god damn I love this channel

[@kennethj1956]

Sigh;...I wished I lived in California. I could be cool, dress cool, drive cool and at my age, it would be okay.

[@s0nnyburnett]

+Mr. Johnson Be careful what you wish for.

[@SailBeforeSunset]

+Jon Rosenburg And don't forget that if you own your own business, the socialists are continually trying to steal as much of your hard work as they can.

[@studid55]

+Mr. Johnson I am not sure where you live but where I live is pretty garbage for sports cars. I used a google map-like twisty road finder to look for the twistiest road around and it was the highway..... dont move to oklahoma...

[@carlosechazabal3920]

+:D Or Miami. it is so bad to be a car lover and here. I own an E90 BMW and long for a twisty road, but the best I can hope for here is to drive around to the window of a fast food drive through.

[@zgrad1]

+Jon Rosenburg at least you're not bitter about it.

[@alastairh9607]

"Two double oh two" "Noy-eh Klass-eh"

[@1cityandcolour1]

in germany we actually say two thousand and two or twenty oh two

[@ElTyranto]

+1cityandcolour1 no in germany we say zweitausend zwei

[@pissyourselfandshitncoom2172]

+Alastair Hedge I'm glad i'm not the only one who was bothered by that.

[@alastairh9607]

+Noss Njeppa Me too haha

[@KnightDriveTV]

+ElTyranto I'm going to start saying it that way...lol...people in America gonna look at me like a wacko...haha. Spanish is that "romantic" language of the world, but German was always a "violent" language to me. I think it was my grandfather watching WWII movies of Germans shouting and putting people to death...lol. If I say "Hey man, I love your 'zwetausend zwei'!", I'm quite certain the moment I initiate z sound I am going to transform into a very angry sounding person...lol.

[@klauspohl1142]

In 1966 my dad sold his Mercedes 220 S (Fintail) to buy a BMW 1800. I could direct him to this car with the "rally" images and once he took a test drive, he was in 7th heaven...It was so much lighter and nimbler than the Mercedes, and even faster on the Autobahn. Two years later he traded up for the BMW 2000 tii and I bought his "old" car....now I was in 7th heaven!

[@ayrinaaini]

Its almost like 2002 bmw but the longer body and the 4 door makes its different from its near counterpart. I love its grilled face. overall its a nice classic cars. love your video.

[@antoinedoinell]

I agree. I actually really like the rear tail light set up as well.

[@Dgannt]

+Ayrina Aini When I look at it, it's really as if this was the 5-series of the 60:s while 2002 was the 3-series.

[@ayrinaaini]

Fast Er I agreed.

[@angelinalif]

"Noi class"... seriously. If you feel compelled to call a foreign car by its original foreign nickname, then please at least put in some minimal effort to pronounce it correctly.

[@neueklasse2283]

Seriously.

[@semaex]

disagreed. i rather hear him pronouciate something in my mother tongue in a wrong way (and tbh the pronounciation wasn't that bad to begin with) than see him rip my traditionalist german heart out when he says "new class" to a classic BMW.

[@centralsouthernfishing2091]

The cinematography, time and effort in these videos bring out a total emotion for any car. You guys make any car, look like it deserves to be in the spotlight. Script and everything puts these videos together greatly.

[@MitchDenham]

Nice car, would have been nice to have heard a bit more exhaust though.

[@neueklasse2283]

Hi all, thanks for the (mostly) positive and kind words. I hope my love for these BMW four door machines shines through. To note, they DID make this body style as a 1500, 1600, 1800, and 2000 variation. Mine IS a 1600.......yes.....a 1600.Neue Klasse is pronounced several ways, depending on where you are from and how your tongue works. My hair, sorta odd that a few of ya give a crap......but Joe Strummer and Johnny Cash would approve. Blah. Thanks again for the coverage of this four door oddity, and thanks to you all for watching and getting it.Stay cool, Jim H

[@Valkyr]

+Neue Klasse We could all use a little more Huff in our lives! Was a pleasure dude, hope to see you soon!

[@idriveandridevintage8580]

Jim, How can I get in touch with you?, I just pick up a garage find 1600nk, I got it post on So Cal Vintage BMW and BMW Neue Klasse Face Book Group, was wants some advice,,

[@semaex]

greetings from Germany and congrats on your amazing BMW! The pronounciation, and I'm trying hard to type this in an "american" way: noyé khlaacé. hahahaha. anyways, good job on your car mate. and hope you'll keep it in this beautiful shape for decades to come!

[@idriveandridevintage8580]

@@semaex I have it posted on BMW Neue Klasse Coupe and Sedan and also on So Cal Vintage BMW Facebook group.. the Brown 1600nk

[@fkporsche1]

The engine Sound terrific!! Enjoy her.

[@YachtReport]

What is this guy smoking? 'I embraced it and it embraced me in some form..' How did a car embrace him, and who talks like that?

[@YachtReport]

+Neue Klasse OK and how did the car reciprocate?

[@furripupau]

The German Volvo. Now find somebody with a BMW 700.

[@giuliobranchetti5584]

+furripupau atcually there is an article about that on their site petrolicious.com/bmw-700-saved-the-ultimate-driving-machine

[@LuxLazar]

I like that it's not mint condition and it's a driven car. Classic German cars are great.

[@LuxLazar]

+zaco21 oh shut the fuck up troll.

[@LuxLazar]

+zaco21 hahhaha. You're the type of person that butts into conversations and says "well actually...." Go troll some more dipshit. everyone knows mint mean really good condition. Go apply for a job at at Hagerty if you think your so fucking knowledgeable. This is on KZbin. Dumbass...

[@LuxLazar]

Look at you! LOL, put so much energy defending yourself! You defense is pretty much "I know you are, but what am I?" LOL, GTFO.

[@LuxLazar]

Hahaha! Little troll's feelings hurt? You gonna go find another video and browse the comments so you tell the "well actually." What a giant twat! HAHAHA!

[@LuxLazar]

Friendly? Only commenting how someone is wrong is a douche bag thing to do. A troll thing to do. And even worse when you're wrong. From Wikia: "Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase related to the way collectors described the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a "mint", then mint condition is the condition a coin is in when it leaves the mint." And quit taking my insults, you uneducated TWAT.

[@antoinedoinell]

Nice. Can't go wrong with dual side drafts on a 60's BMW.

[@jamescooper2110]

I Want, I Need a 60's BMW. I don't care if it's a 2002 or a 1600 or whatever it is, just and old BMW that I can love and drive.

[@jamescooper2110]

mmm, i don't know. They look similar and are more modern and have less problems, but there's just something about the older ones

[@mattadrev471]

+James Cooper save up! they are rising in price everyday!

[@jamescooper2110]

haha don't I know it. It's miserable

[@vvkuyck]

I love his future plans!

[@mzondi1970]

Fantastic, The off throttle popping won me over. I have seen a couple of these as well, not many in the Midwest. Great car.

[@ottodob]

whoo! nice car. I hope i see it cruising marin backroads or sf streets one day.

[@Mixail747]

Car is great, no doubt. But the guy, he has a very nice voice, wouldn't you say? Pronounce as well. And I would think he is in his 20s-early-30s if I could only hear him.

[@blues03]

+Mikhail Evtushenko Enunciation and/or articulation is what you mean, I believe. I need to work on my own..

[@klasseact6663]

Once again Petrolicious brings us a unique car, I've never even heard of these...THANK YOU! Great owner and great attitude...what are your future plans for this car, I'M GOING TO DRIVE IT! This embodies what the channel is all about, THANK YOU!!

[@neueklasse2283]

Thanks, Klasse Act!

[@KnightDriveTV]

This video is very unhealthy for me to watch, being I'm about to sell my E28 535i that has fresh paint and a pretty spotless original interior....ughhhh....

[@billk6863]

+RC000E DON'T DO IT....

[@noahmanning3209]

I'm in love.

[@jacobkelly8936]

My cousin has a 69 cabriolet 1600 2 door and gave me a ride in it and I loved it! For 96 horse power, it could haul ass!

[@kt35pw75]

Nice shot and thank you - no additional Porsche 911 story ;-) Remember this old sedan gave the block for the most powerful F1 motor ever made.

[@jordonbeaven]

wonderful video. I have an e39 m5 that I have been thinking about selling due to its age, but this video has me thinking, it's such a great drivers car... maybe I'm just gonna drive it.

[@ivangaspar448]

Možda i nisam trebao napisati ni jedno slovo?! Osim iskrenih suza koje nisam u stanju pokazati,ostaje mi večna rana na srcu jer sam se prw 3-godine rastao od mog BMW E-21....Vozio sam nmoga kola , ali onaj užitak i osećaj prisnosti "čovek- mašina" nikada nisam osetio istinski u duši, kao periode vožnje mog BMW....😢😢😢❤

[@grattidude]

This guy gets it.

[@alexanderbroom9915]

Can we talk about how perfectly the gas door is incorporated into the rear of the car?

[@williamgson4055]

I NEED an old BMW. I already have a old BMW (1990), but I want an even older one. Older than a E24 or E21. I'm talking Neue Klasse, E3, E9 type of old.

[@chasesmith4189]

The E12 is pretty badass

[@williamgson4055]

+Chase Smith Yeah, I love them. But I want something really old. Actually, I want all old BMW's lol.

[@johnnyXsniper]

Its a bit of an addiction, Iv got an e21, e30 and an e36, but i too fancy an 02 or an e12 or something. Its a proper infection

[@williamgson4055]

Euan Hamilton Oh indeed it is. I now have an E30 and an E34 :D

[@chriserz94]

E24's are amazing the 1976 630cs euro are very oldschool. I love the series 2 E24 personally I owned an 84' 633CSiA and now I own a 85' 635CSi 5 speed alpine weiss on black sports seats , has the valence w/ integrated fogs, rear spoiler , winter package ( heated seats and LSD). All original was quite neglected but i've brought it back to fair condition so far.

[@AnnoyedPigeon]

Hands down.. my favorite car channel on youtube.. So much passion and love is shown by the owners of these cars.. They really know what they are talking about !!

[@wolftmfg]

Just sold my AUTOArt model in this Bristol Grey 🤦🏻‍♂️ I shouldn’t have come here 😂

[@ianbarber311]

Sweet car. Thanks for saving it from who knows what. Have owned my CRX since 94.

[@jarryd8153]

Any owner who mistakes a 1600 Neue Klasse for a 2002 should have to forfeit their right to owning a 2002... and never be allowed to buy another BMW again.

[@arnomaas6452]

That owner seems like an enthusiast who didn't lose the whole meaning along the way , nice !

[@TheHypnotstCollector]

I had one of these for bit in 1976. sort of a burgundy color. Palo Alto Calif. I lived in the Santa Cruz mountains for over 30 years and I know he's in that area , maybe near Davenport, at the end. He's below Pescadero fer sure

[@finnblu3002]

. . . thanks Perhaps a consideration in the future: this fantastic channel could somehow also offer a second part to "select" vids... the first is as presented, and the second is a brief focus on the: designer, original engineering schematics, current fabrication details, suspension, tune, unique modifications, featured shops, or individuals. A referenced collective that may, or may not have contributed to those vehicles that underwent a significant rebuild, or transformation over time. or is this tinkering with... petroperfection... ? . ?

[@clairebannister4749]

Nice little car - just goes to prove you can have great fun in not too expensive simple cars - cars from the 60's/70's that were nothing special then, but are special now because of the driving experience they can offer in comparison with the computer generated characterless boxes of today.

[@thimble288]

I was like number 1981, the year I was born! I have ridden in an 1800ti, it didn't sound that good!

[@E34Benzin]

Nice, but in typical American fashion, it's full of aftermarket bullshit.

[@michaelXXLF]

Where have they all gone? They rusted like nothing good. Holes in the sills after six years were anything but unusual. The 1800 was the first car I remember riding in. It was white and it had a lot of class. Then one day dad had to leave it at the garage and they gave him a 2000 for the day. That was out of this world!

[@DefinetlyKarl]

The car is awesome and I really dig the 2002ish 4door design. Note to owner: please change the oil fill cap to the old fashion one, the 90s plastic looks horrible in that bay.

[@Davidthorough]

Great car... great guy... and that looked like some roads I know in Marin county. Is that right?

[@WalterGalindo]

Very nice, love the color, love that it gets driven, but I really dislike the the steel wheels, I know there period correct, but it would look so so cool with some 2002 alloys, still, awesome

[@MrAlcmj]

God damn that shot at 4:20.. Lets say 4:21

[@neueklasse2283]

Got that right, Mac! I dig the tree reflection shots.

[@davidtatelo]

Im starting to really like this kind of old sixties european four door little sporty saloons, like this and specially italian ones...

[@donalsinnott4303]

Most obscure car I have ever seen a guy lust after

[@randyroy4074]

Loved the video. Great story for a gear head like myself. Thanks

[@ФаридХисамов-м2ъ]

Hello. You can make Russian subtitles to your video?

[@junjun7641]

What a toy from the past. For sure this car is a head turner. 360° head turn for those hot chicks out there! awesome toy!

[@Rtechmobile]

Looks vaguely like a NSU Prinz or the Prinz looks like it.

[@jblairhoward]

What a ride! Too bad I was the 8 o'clock showing...

[@jackaslope]

gorgeous car!!!!

[@guillemclaret3931]

Has Jeremy Heshlub directed this clip?

[@tankredzr]

these are more expensive than the 2 door coupe version here in Germany

[@SabreLilly.]

I wish I had the time and money to make a built road rallier like this

[@aa240sx]

take away? craigslist - still the best way to buy a bucket!

[@tonyonthewave]

Music credits? Artist or band name, title etc.

[@CoolCarlos310]

Stances works had a sick picture of this car.

[@ductileiron98]

Hipster. Haircut and glasses extra..

[@bludmakesgrassgrow]

The grill looks like rodent teeth and whiskers

[@batbawls]

Great channel. Well done.

[@dannyfontanez5887]

Lovely ride, yes drive it. That's what they're made for.

[@neueklasse2283]

Thanks!

[@WillBowenclassiccars]

I own one of these cars, phenomenal things

[@axllook7803]

Bel video una rarissima BMW almeno dalle mie parti

[@TheGuerillapatriot]

4 Door is better to live with day to day.

[@dabbogallo2360]

Daaaamn video quality 😍

[@aleoimpala]

I think your car is really nice as is your story. Very inspiring.

[@neueklasse2283]

Thanks!!

[@alexandrumarinescu1]

why would someone dislike this..

[@sativafourtwentie]

This video reminds me of my 1991 Volkswagen Jetta Pacific 5sp manual. It had the 1.8L 8 valve engine, but the gearing was so perfect. You'd be in peak Torque (107) roughly from 3500 RPM up and then you'd hit peak HP (93) at 5300rpm. You could rip twisty roads and maintain 90km/h which would out-drive most Porsche owners (where I live people have more money than brains/driving confidence). But yeah, 2nd and 3rd gear pulled hard. Where it really lacked the power was on the highway. I need another car with proper grip.

[@OLMEQ]

I would so like to resto-mod one of these as a "sleeper" just for the fun of it .... I love the colour and the "steelies"... BMW M1600 Neue Klasse !!! Looks like GREAT FUN !!! ENJOY IT!!!!

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome video! That's why I subscribed. You always show interesting cars, cars you don't see very many of today. I remember only seeing one BMW 1600 four door sedan. At first I thought I was looking at a four door version of the BMW 2002. But I've never seen a four door 2002. While the body shape is similar, and its front looks the same, the body of the four door is of course extended to accommodate the extra door, which gives it a more practical, while still attractive look to it. Thanks for showing us the car! :)

[@xXRoneightyXx]

I Like this old BMW ´s ! Hausmarke... grüße / Greetings from 1timefav.blogspot.de

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome looking car! I've never seen a BMW 4 door of this vintage. I've seen 2002s, Bavaria, and 3.0CS. But I've never seen a 1500, 1600, 1800, or a 2000, not even a 4 door. Very nice.

[@YouThubez]

Wow! 1440P! But I cant imagine 1440P with 80fps... That would be delicious!

[@bzert281]

Wow!!! Oh Thank you!!!! Our family car when I was a kid, was a 1966 2000TI. It's your car, exactly, down to the German racing silver, single round headlights, same bumpers, taillights, (Dad swapped for a wood sport steering wheel, too,) except for the badge on the back didn't say 1600. Came with a 2 liter, and ours had the "business suit" Solex twin side-drafts, but one could get the Weber twins, if you wanted the "racing gear" rig. All the instruments were in German (always an LOL to see the (one) pilot light for the blinkers, labeled "Blinker". Who knew it was the same word? Car had two owner's manuals, one English and one in Deutsch. Car got me started learning German, at 10. My lifelong love of languages, I owe to our Lili. Mike, from NC P.S. All y'all should know: a Driver's License does not authorize one to legitimately operate a BMW - But when dude said, "my future plans? Lots of this: *VROOOOM*" - that right there's what seals the deal, to identify a true BMW head. Drive On.

[@kasti91]

I actually work at a place, where we service and build classic BMW Racing cars. We have 9 BMW 1800 (Exactly the same body as this one, but with a 1800cc engine and all in race trim) and a few E9 CSL's. I have never seen one on the road though.

[@TheMetalButcher]

Porsche 914 please.

[@ZeroneAngel]

The sound this car makes reminds me sooo much of my Volvo 142 from -74. Heresy perhaps, but that is what it sounds like. Great video thou. And a great piece of car history.

[@MotorcarCollector]

Such a simple car yet so elegant and sporty at the same time. I never even heard of these cars. Its true you learn something new everyday!

[@Alanbataar]

I'm an ex-East Coaster, and a transplant to the Bay Area. It's pretty cool seeing places & roads I know in the Petrolicious films. I like his "plans" and the quick grin. That's how I feel about some of my bikes.

[@billk6863]

Love classic BMW's.. Love that you don't baby it and love this channel....way too much love going around..

[@perez5249]

Reminds me of my 1st car. 1971 BMW 2000. It was a GI pass around/hand me down car in Germany. I was about the 10th owner. $500.

[@kristoferturner2194]

I have the opportunity to acquire two of these cars to make into one good one. I never really took much interest but seeing this video has me thinking, as this one here is just too cool. They are both 1800 cars, same shape and I know very little about them but I may just go for it.

[@neueklasse2283]

Do it! Jim H

[@user-db4yp8mb9v]

Beautiful aerial shots guys

[@4035andrew]

how does petrolicious not have more subscribers ?? there's so much garbage on KZbin that have millions of subscribers, what these guys do is absolutely beautiful, it's one of those things that brightens my day. I really hope this channel gets into the million + subscribers .. what am I saying... of course it will. 😉

[@anonharingenamn]

I used to think they were just called 1500/1600/2000. Lovely car anyhow.

[@roxy2l2s]

Nice ! I would have kept the original steering wheel though. I love it's thin bakelte touch + old style metal horn push bar.

[@jackhills7474]

Always loved the old BMW's and I must admit when I first saw this video come up I though it was a 1502. Never seen one of these things before, but I'm absolutely in love with it now. Also, just to add, this guy has a great attitude towards his car and driving and whatnot. Nothing worse than seeing a beautiful car like this one, and finding out it spends its time in a garage. Brilliant video!

[@realmaindrianpace]

What a neat looking car, I've never seen one. love the taillights and rear styling, mixed in with familiar 2002-like elements. Ahead of it's time for sure.

[@EnriqueSonora]

This still my favorite Petrolicious video after all these years.

[@domdegood5376]

A copy of the fiat 124.

[@BurakTheWeekender]

wow 4k vid.

[@thebluep0tat0]

Another amazing piece of driving culture captured by the crew at Petro. Bravo!

[@marcogiammona1928]

Bella macchina, complimenti

[@Alexius1Komnenos]

These cars have superb handling. Better than any new BMWs, and better than even most new sports cars.