ULTRA RARE !!! 1968 BMW 1602 First Drive In Over 10 Years !!!

[@ii7317]

Voting for a full restore, including paint and trims. Imagine how gorgeous she will look after that.

[@willwel5533]

Didn't watch the whole video yet, but I'd say why stop at really good and go for immaculate. If it was a more common car I wouldn't care, but with this thing being as rare as it is, I'd go full A+ restoration. If it takes time so what. I'd rather see a top notch restoration with time than see you settle for something. Just my two cents though, you do you brother.

[@slam44]

Nathan, You must go all the way with this car. You won’t see another opportunity like this. This car will live forever if you do the right thing now.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I vote for the rolling resto. I like to see classic cars used. The trick to bringing something like that back to life is to replace everything that is an obvious issue, service it, then use it but keep an eye on everything. Many things will go wrong but just keep properly fixing them, keep using it and eventually it could be driven accross the county. Personally I hate these let's try to make it like a new car stuff, costs run away, time runs away and you still end up with a car that still requires an intense shakedown.

[@750gg]

I say take your time and give it the TLC that it needs. Full restoration!!! Make this a show car. Always good to have one in the collection.✌🏽💯

[@MegaSuperMiracle]

I want to add, don't use grinder unless you absolutely have to. Get airplane paint remover. There is a lot of material on how to use it properly. Way less elbow grease and better results. If you use a grinder there is always a chance of removing metal, no matter how careful you are

[@chrisd5610]

Because its in such relatively good structural condition the existing patina looks really cool. I say keep it that way!

[@joedirt8625]

That car deserves your Expertise and Attention. You win.

[@KB248FOREVER]

Looks even better outside! Will be a nice cruiser when you get it done.

[@MyMuschilover]

You gotta keep this one original! Check out the VIN number on it as it could be a late 67’ production car. Before 68’ the very early cars were 6volt actually, but this is one is from the transitional period - a 12v car. All the bits and pieces on it are correct too like the silver grilles, no headrests, silver dollar instruments, long neck diff and u-joints instead of CV’s, red turn signals. These odd bits and pieces appeared on the first 500 02’s in 68’. Yours might also lack hydraulic clutch and have early style pressure plate/fly wheel inside. Restored this thing is pretty valuable.

[@fastboatster]

Really nice video and project. While this restoration might not be all that relevant for most of us with newer cars, being into all things BMW (cars, bikes), it's still very interesting to watch

[@tech42long35]

Car seems to just be a surprise after surprise of great shape for the year. And for that matter even if it were 20 years newer.. craZy. Way to go BMW

[@lancelau4326]

Nice! I think you deserve a lift!

[@Paris.Kalachnikov]

In remarkable condition for its age under there Nathan. I would suggest the lift as a priority as you'll get more productivity from it rather than restoring the 1600 at the moment. Heaps of fish oil on/in every crevice and surface will keep it mint condition.

[@586101]

Congratulations on the purchase, Nathan, this was such a good find. I would say that whatever you have to do to it time-/money-wise would be worth it in the long run. As others have suggested, and since it is a special car, I would go for the gold and do a full restore.

[@kerrykeim8484]

Helluva find! That thing is in primo condition!

[@Easton21]

A certain type of dirt keeps the metal below pristine. I found an old McIntosh tube amp covered in a layer and it was perfect underneath. Congrats, this is an incredible car.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Crazy how good condition that's in... Fully restore it!

[@kevincrosby3030]

I had a 1967 1600; bought it in 1972 and drove it until 1985. It was so much fun on tight winding mountain and coastal roads in Northern Cal. Wanted to restore it but kids, etc. so finally sold it in about 1995. It was a 6-volt car, from before BMW brought out the 2002 in 1968 with its 2-liter engine and slightly more robust drive train. BMW dealers carried the 1600 until about '72. Be glad your '68 is 12 volt, as those 6V tail lights and brake lights were pretty dim - I grew afraid that someone would hit me! Those rear axle joints are not CV, I could tell you all about changing those boots (which requires disassembling the inner bearings, etc.) because I did it several times and remember it well - not too hard; you just need a press and some patience. I think you could replace the rear axles with the later CV design. The original carburetor is a Solex but replacement with a Weber was a common attempt at a little more power. Just hearing the starter turn brought back deep memories - cool that you got it running, hope you do more! Thanks for the video!

[@1SECRETBILLY]

Ivory exterior and Red interior.Maybe stay black inside. After seeing condition of body and no rust and how well it ran you probably have few gas tank issues. Continue onward Nathan.

[@rogermanvell4693]

Best thing on the channel take your time and make it nice but do the mechanicals first including a few performance upgrades.

[@joshriver75]

The wheel-well of my 02 e46 developed a rust hole the size of a football despite being garaged and not driven often in foul weather.

[@danielgalvin6310]

I got a red '68 1602 in feb '69. $2642.40. A few hundred more than a 6-cyl Mustang. Lots of fun. It was finally totaled by my younger brother at 225k miles. At one point we had the 1602, a '73 2002, a Euro '67 2000cs w webers, and a '66 1800ti. The 1600 and 2002 had heads with smaller valves. the 1800 and 2000cs had 121 heads with larger valves.

[@theworldsbestben1018]

Ohhh yeahh good going nate 👍

[@stymiesnerdly771]

I'm anxious to see the condition of the E46 M3 with SMG when it shows up! Hopefully it's not just wishful thinking.

[@rogerabernathy4393]

Restore it Nate there’s no real question about it. Uncle Rog

[@vviiper]

Do a full restore man! These cars are as rare as rocking horse shit! Its in such good condition too - it deserves it!

[@Agent_Missouri]

I can’t believe there’s another one of these in the area. Friend of mine has a really nice one in St. Louis that was getting brakes done at my buddy’s shop. When I seen the thumbnail I thought it was the same car! Very cool to see another one.

[@beyondrepair8949]

Don't make it another garage queen. Restore mechanicals, clean it real good and make it a gem of a survivor. That would make it even more rare than it is now.

[@jsmabry357]

Don’t let Scott Kilmer see this he will say it’s a endless money pit 😂😂😂

[@lexburen5932]

Scotty actually likes the old bmw's, because they are reliable

[@frestkd]

I'm torn between OEM build or restomod. My dad had the 2nd 2002 in Arizona. This brings lots of good memories.

[@geemanbmw]

Your a true BMW Enthusiast to buy that 1600. I would of done the same had I had the opportunity.

[@brainfulify]

BMW should give alpine weiss a break and bring back chamonix. Happy to see the wheel well looks really clean but I still think it's worth stripping the exterior to bare metal to properly treat the rust. Then I think a quality single stage respray would suit the character of the car.

[@ForeignMRE]

Great restoration project Nathan.

[@philipgrobler7253]

I am quite sure you only will have to replace the boots, those boots deteriotated in storage over the 10 years.

[@kevincrosby3030]

Just finally read through other comments - yeah this may be a late 1967, or was brought over from Europe. In 1968 US law required side lights and headrests (and I think shoulder belts), and your car has neither - it is all original, as another said, chrome grills and all (the 2002 had black or partially-black grills depending on the year, a tach in place of the clock, and a 3.83 diff instead of the 4.11 in the 1600). My brother had a '68 1600 and it had the required US lights and headrests. That spinning knob might be the throttle - its cable might be stuck, so spinning as you depress the gas pedal (that is my guess anyway).

[@deliawolfe]

I know these cars really well and have done some award-winning restorations out here in California. I'd be inclined to repair all the mechanical stuff before I took it apart for paint. Also restoring one of these cannot be accomplished for $4000. And parts are not always available for these early BMW 1600s, so have the replacements in your hand before you tear things apart. If you're already thinking about your next project, perhaps - now that it's running - you might think about selling it as-is, where-is.

[@Kampfmesser89]

I’d check the cab corners by the front wheels. That’s where my otherwise clean E21 has rust issues. Common on BMWs of the era.

[@jonharnew]

If the chassis is as good as it looks you certainly don’t need a car lift to do a great job on it. It’s an iconic car I lusted after one of those when they were new.

[@tommygunnz7154]

Glad you're going to make this this 💯 I've only seen 2 of these. And they were far from mint. I say go full send. Even if it takes some time. I'll be 👀

[@Restorezone]

keep on going ! save them all !!

[@jessesward9429]

Is your shop heated? How cold does it get in there during the winter?

[@waterlover]

Awesome to see it drive

[@sieve417]

I agree dont paint it! Keep the same color.

[@ewebbytrailscout]

Video title? I thought it was a 1968? I had a 1979 320i and way more modern.

[@ForeignMRE]

Cool car. I want to see the new car Nathan.

[@fpb3rd]

Paint strip an option? I think you should take your time and be meticulous. Spend a little more on parts to make it EAG quality

[@TheKeenMechanic]

Full restoration all day long mate

[@zlord1199]

Full Restoration please Nathan

[@chrisneil862]

I honestly prefer the all original running and driving look as opposed to a trailer queen. Obviously the surface rust has to be addressed but if you got the mechanicals all sorted that car as it sits would be a real gem.

[@lp2565]

Make it perfect. Too nice of an original to do otherwise, in my opinion.

[@meganmartin7376]

Make it like new in 1968, it will look great and run for the rest of your driving year's. 😀

[@daleyurk4369]

Nathan, if you decide to restore the car, please try and film the work itself. It's not as enjoyable to just see the results. I know it takes a ton more time, but I think it would pay off in views. Good luck.

[@frestkd]

It's the normal BMW Getrag/ZF euro shift pattern.

[@NickiLasse]

waow, does it have cruise control?? (the rotating button/thingy, when you stepped on the gas)

[@davidviner4932]

I was 2 years old when that car was made

[@stephenyoungblood3683]

Wow! How much you want for it?!?

[@nickkotsify]

nice

[@wxx3]

This was my first car, a '69 bmw 1602.

[@phillloyd8625]

Another vote for a full A+ restore on this one 👍 PS, get the lift too 💪

[@curtishouze1471]

My vote is to do it right!!!!😁😁😁

[@113036stat]

That A/C vent on dash does not really belong on that car just saying....Try to save the original trim parts best as you can new ones are available but spendy. Check rockers, rear front fenders and left frame rail for rust especially under the brake master cylinder. area. Put car on a rolling dolly, Power wash everything , drop the subframes complete with engine. Clean and inspect all parts on them while the car is being prepped for color. Remove trim/front and rear glass and media blast the car. Get all the pieces for interior and try to go for a single stage paint as was used back in the day, Its also cheaper than doing a 2 stage. Spray color on the underside of car as well. You say 4 k good luck!! I wish mine was that cheap to do.

[@Sticklyart]

FULL RESTORE PLEASE

[@DarkstarDarth]

That baby beemer is a cream puff👌🏼 restored will be big 💰...check this fully restored 1600 on Leno’s kzbin.info/www/bejne/fF6zipupZ9yMsKs

[@Retrobeemer]

No way you’ll replace all that stuff for $4000! Rubber seals are really expensive and carpets are NLA.

[@frestkd]

You don't need a lift to clean up the 1602.

[@frestkd]

It could turn into your most reliable vehicle in your fleet haha.

[@timothykeith1367]

1967 BMW 1600 - Jay Leno's Garage kzbin.info/www/bejne/fF6zipupZ9yMsKs

[@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow]

Take it to your local BMW dealership service center, act naive, and request some maintenance on it. Film the whole thing.

[@JP-st8sf]

Restore it mechanically leave the patina 👌🏼

[@brainfulify]

That rust on the roof and trunk is more than patina and would be a bad idea to let it keep eating away.

[@user-db6oh3ud7k]

If it’s a 1968 it’s technically a 1600-2, not a 1602.

[@Quagmire925]

Leave the paint as is! Just do a mechanical resto! Its a survivor! Edit: Painting prep also sucks to watch!

[@teufelhunden2820]

First

[@frestkd]

www.mesaperformance.com/ is a good place to get classic BMW parts.

[@danjohnson4819]

Coolant leaking cause it's green! Jk

[@samozary]

Drop a s85 in it. Lol

[@waterlover]

Awesome to see it drive