1971 BMW 2002 Rally Car
A competition-prepared BMW 2002 built in 1994 for the London–Mexico Rally, entered by the Metropolitan Police Motor Club and driven to a 'Spirit of the Event' award. Subsequently rebuilt by Gordon Spooner Engineering, it claimed a Class C5 victory on the AA Historic Circuit of Ireland and contributed to BMW's Classic Manufacturer Award. Further prepared by GSE for the 2000 London–Sydney Rally, which it completed successfully, the car carries an M10 engine producing 185 bhp and is finished in the BMW works colours associated with the 1970 European Rally Championship.
Ownership
- 2025-08-22Auction saleEstimate £25,000 – £30,000
- 1994 →Acquisition unknownMetropolitan Police Motor Clubpartial documentation
The club had the car built in 1994 specifically for the London–Mexico Rally and entered it with Chief Inspector Ian James and Dick French as crew.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Has owned the car for approximately 30 years and campaigned it extensively in national and international events; car has been kept at Rally World under Baz Cannon's supervision.
Competition
- 1994London–Mexico RallyDriver: Ian JamesSpirit of the Event award
Co-driven by Dick French and entered by the Metropolitan Police Motor Club; the award was won ahead of a British Army entry.
- 1998Coys Historic Rally of Great Britain3rd in class
- 2000London–Sydney RallyFinisher
Car was comprehensively prepared for this endurance event by GSE under Baz Cannon's direction and successfully reached the finish.
- —AA Historic Circuit of Ireland1st in Class C5
Result contributed to BMW receiving the Classic Manufacturer Award at the event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2002RestorationGordon Spooner Engineering
Comprehensive preparation for the London–Sydney endurance event, encompassing complete shell work, fitment of a ZF gearbox, Quaife differential, and Ohlins dampers, along with all ancillary safety and reliability upgrades.
Carried out under the supervision of Baz Cannon; date cited as the preparation year rather than the rally year (2000), suggesting a discrepancy in the source prose — recorded as stated.
- —RestorationGordon Spooner Engineering
Full rebuild carried out after the London–Mexico Rally, returning the car to competition fitness.
Work preceded the AA Historic Circuit of Ireland campaign.
- —Service
The Lester Owen-built M10 engine has been subject to regular inspections and consistently delivers approximately 185 bhp on the dynamometer.
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