A completely original and unique example of one of BMWs most iconic Neue Klasse models with one owner for over 53 years.
Having saved BMW from bankruptcy during 1959, brothers Harald and Herbert Quandt quickly embarked upon a project which would not only secure the success of the company but also determine the future design template for BMW.
Widely regarded as the series of cars that saved the company, the ‘Neue Klasse’ as the name suggests, was intended to provide BMW with their first ‘all new’, post-war production model. Introduced in 1961, this more affordable offering would be powered by engines ranging between 1.5 and 2ltr. – a sector BMW had been absent from throughout the 1950’s. This would also be the first entirely new car and engine produced by BMW since the introduction of the 303 nearly thirty years earlier.
As the second model in the Neue Klasse series, this unique and completely original ‘1800’ was purchased directly from BMW’s Munich factory in April 1967 by a Mr E M Slattery for $2300 USD. The original purchase contract and bill of sale accompanies the car together with cash receipts for additional extras requested at the time.
Having relocated to South Africa, the 1800 was shipped from Southampton to Cape Town in December 1967 before travelling by train to Heidelberg to be reunited with Mr Slattery in early 1968. Documents relating to shipping form part of the extensive history together with handwritten details and records for regular service work carried out during the first owners care. Having remained the BMW’s one and only keeper for over 43 years, Mr Slattery finally sold the car to its second keeper in 2010.
This time warp example remains in completely original condition apart from the addition of Smiths instrumentation installed by the first keeper. Together with the original owners handbook, a host of genuine BMW spare parts from the period also accompany the car which, due to a lack of availability at the time, the boot of the 1800 were filled with before shipping to Cape Town.
Recently repatriated and re-registered in the UK, this totally original and unmolested BMW 1800 presents a unique opportunity. With 130,000 miles having been covered over 53 years, this dry state car has clearly been cared for and offers the chance to own a completely unmolested example of this iconic model. The original paintwork and interior both remain in fantastic condition given their age and show very few signs of wear or deterioration.
UK registration number: ABW 873F