The large kidney grilles on the current BMW M3 and M4 are controversial, but they are not new. Nearly all BMWs used to have prominent, vertical grilles that dominate the front view. Some were considered quite beautiful and groundbreaking in design. For example, take the 1967 BMW 2000CS recently listed for sale on eBay.
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The 2000CS was part of the Neue Klasse (or “New Class”) of BMWs that began in 1962. This crop of sedans and coupes were the company’s first all-new chassis and engine designs since the 1930s. They set the blueprint for modern BMW for decades to come.
A Heritage of Style and Performance
An investment from the Quandt family—who still own a controlling stake in BMW—saved BMW from bankruptcy and launched the New Class cars. Clean-sheet designs brought BMW into the modern age. The New Class spawned several sedans and coupes that have a direct lineage to legends like the BMW 2002, E9 2800CS, E30 3 Series - opens in new window or tab., and E28 5 Series - opens in new window or tab..
BMW eschewed the baroque styling of previous models, including the flagship Bertone-designed 3200CS. Instead, the marque implemented a sleek, modern three-box profile, including the Hofmeister kink - opens in new window or tab. in the C-pillar, named for designer Wilhelm Hofmeister.
Independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms helped define BMW’s driving dynamics for generations to come, giving rise to the “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline. The new M10 engine - opens in new window or tab. and its derivatives went on to power BMWs for years, even forming the basis for its Formula 1 and endurance race motors.
The 1967 BMW 2000CS was at the head of the New Class. Think of it as the originator of the modern 6-Series coupe - opens in new window or tab.. Equipped with the 2.0-liter version of the M10 engine, the top-level twin-carburetor setup made 120 horsepower when new. It’s paired with a four-speed manual from the factory.
Not Perfect, But Not a Big Project
The car for sale is one of just under 10,000 examples. It’s painted in a classy ivory that BMW calls Chamonix. The interior is in great condition. The elegantly curved dashboard—carved from one large piece of wood—is in superb shape.
According to the listing, this 2000CS was part of a BMW collection and has not been driven for a few years. From what we can tell, there are a couple of imperfections in the bodywork, such as a small ding in the lower driver’s side door. The amber from the front left turn signal also appears to have delaminated from the lens.
Nonetheless, this BMW 2000CS appears to be complete—a solid starting point for a concours-level restoration. The mileage on the five-digit odometer reads 2,782 and there’s a stack of paperwork. The original spare wheel and tool kit are included.
BMW made over 13,000 New Class coupes, with 9,999 of them being 2000CS models. The rest were lower-grade single-carb 2000C models. It’s not rare, but definitely not common, and a defining car in BMW’s brand history.
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