A few years ago I did a deep dive into the evolution of BMW’s early sedans:
The result of that evolution we looked at was the famous 2002, but before that model emerged there were several baby steps along the way. Today’s car is one of them; the 1800 sedan, and we also just looked at the 2000C recently. While this particular 1800 looks similar to the car I looked at back in 2020, it’s a year older and has quite a few mods. The market has also moved on substantially from 2020, so let’s see what the resulting asking price equates to:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1967 BMW 1800 on eBay
Year: 1967
Model: 1800
VIN: 1235848
Engine: 2.2 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 18,000 mi (TMU)
Location: Lutz, Florida
Price: $34,995 Buy It Now
This 1967 BMW 1800 takes an iconic classic style and gives you upgrades like a larger motor, five-speed, and a driver-ready A/C interior. So the sharp-handling classic you love still has that awesome vintage design, and now it delivers even more of the dynamics that make this The Ultimate Driving Machine.
Confidence is a beautiful thing, and BMW truly created a form that today we recognize as using a clean design as an understatement to the car’s abilities. There’s minimal flash and other add-ons to spoil the design. No spoilers or wings were bolted on over the years. Instead, it retains the original well-creased style that creates the same confident and premium appearance as a tailored suit. The sedan’s shade of green will fit in with a Bavarian forest, and it shows off the car’s complete trim. Big windows give the driver unparalleled views in all directions, and the grille carries the dual kidney shape that’s still part of BMW today. In fact, possibly the largest flash on this car are the alloy wheels (they are an upgrade to hint at the later/larger power under the hood.)
This is part of the first generation of a new class of sport sedans from BMW, and the interior shows off why they were such a big hit. There’s practical space for people in the back, and this one even has cold-blowing R134a air conditioning to keep everyone comfortable. But the true heart of the appeal was that this practical sedan was also one of the best sports cars around. You get that vintage performance feeling with the classic grippy steering wheel and full VDO readouts w/tach. Plus, this one is upgraded in subtle ways, like the front seats are vintage Recaro-style units finished in leather. And have you counted the gears on the shifter yet?
The forward-tilt hood gives a clear view of the engine bay. The 1800 made such a splash with this gutsy four-cylinder So it’s nice to have it on full display. But while the car’s namesake was a 1800cc unit, this one has been upgraded to a later and larger 2200cc motor. That’s almost like adding an extra cylinder over the stock setup! And you get to take better advantage of the added power because the five-speed manual transmission is one more gear than stock. You’ll love driving this because it remains a sharp-handling BMW with a fully independent suspension, front disc brakes, and rear Bilstein shocks. And the upgraded wheels allow you to fit modern sport tires.
Complete with owner’s manual, the 1800 sedan is the backbone of BMW, and this stealthily modified example upgrades the already awesome driving experience. So don’t let something this unique and vintage pass you by. Call today!!!
Well, first off – you either love or hate the resto-mod look. To me, the E30-spec basketweaves don’t work with the 60s look here, but a set of steel wheels with or without hubcaps would sort that in a hurry. If you want to see aluminum under your fenders, perhaps a set of Alpina-look wheels? Inside the seats are much more modern but also probably better to ride in. It’s said that the A/C works, which is both miraculous and probably welcome. Additional upgrades include a lowered suspension, a 2.2-liter inline-four, and a five-speed manual. All of this adds up to a $35,000 asking price – steep, but it also seems to be the norm these days. However, a quick look shows that you can still get a nice 2002 for similar or less money, and the oddball 1800 doesn’t have the same appeal to me.
-Carter
