This gorgeous BMW 2002 Tii is not a SEMA show car. It’s an old-school race vehicle I spotted during the Eurocrew car show last year in Cartagena, Spain.
With a striking Blue-Yellow racing livery, low track stance, fiberglass wide body, and period-correct mods, it was a much more pleasing car to look at, compared to some modern over-the-top builds I’ve seen throughout the show.
Old School BMW 2002 Tii Build
It immediately caught my attention with the period-correct upgrades and details that would have been installed on the car when it was new.
After a bit of research, I figured that it’s not a restomod or a well-executed replica. It’s the real vintage race car that used to compete in numerous road racing events in Alcañiz, Spain.
The car was originally owned and built by a French racer Pierre Cassagne, who used it to race in local competitions back in the day. Thanks to numerous podiums and an incredibly good-looking design the car became the local icon for many car enthusiasts.
The will of the late owner was to keep the car in Alcañiz, preferably in the hands of someone who understands and appreciates its true value. That’s how it ended up in the hands of the town’s former mayor and a passionate car enthusiast Juan Carlos Gracia Suso, who meticulously restored the car during the previous 5 years.
Quote from the owner’s introduction for Eurocrew’s racing event where this car was exhibited:
Being from here means having been born into the world of motorsports. Many of us were born with the Alcañiz races, and therefore we have all grown up watching those race cars run through our streets. We have always dreamed of owning a car that had raced in Alcañiz. An opportunity arose approximately 5 years ago. The owner was French but lived in Spain. I think he made what you’d call an agreement because he wanted his car to stay in Alcañiz, given all those years that it had raced here year-round and all the affection he had received from the people of Alcañiz.
Once the vehicle was restored, they told me, “Wow, you have Pierre’s car!” – Pierre Cassagne’s BMW 2002. Right now it has dual carburetors (two 50 Weber). Practically the entire engine has been modified, and the rear axle has also been modified. The front brakes are Porsche. The gearbox is from a 5-speed M3. Many modifications have been made, such as plexiglass windows, bucket seats, Sabelt seat belts, and other items that couldn’t be homologated.
Performance:
- The entire engine has been modified
- Dual carburetors (two 50 Weber)
- Modified rear axle
- Porsche front brakes
- 5-speed M3 transmission
Exterior:
- Racing wide body kit with front bumper, fender flares and side skirts
- Plexiglass windows
- BIC Racing Livery
Interior:
- Fully caged race-spec interior
- Bucket seats
- Sabelt seat belts
Conclusion
This BMW 2002 Tii is exactly what vintage racing should be – authentic, purposeful, and dripping with character that you simply can’t buy off a shelf.
Juan Carlos as a dedicated car taker, preserved this bright piece of Alcañiz racing history that draws the interest of car people at modern-day car shows.
| Parts Category | Difficulty Rating* |
|---|---|
| Suspension Mods: | 10/10 |
| Performance Mods: | 10/10 |
| Exterior Mods: | 10/10 |
| Interior Mods: | 10/10 |
* Based on our build difficulty evaluation system ⓘ
Based on our build difficulty score, this blue Bimmer earns a perfect 10 out of 10 in all categories – from the extensively modified engine work to sourcing those period-correct racing components that most builders can only dream about. It’s the kind of build that reminds you why we fell in love with cars in the first place, and why some stories are worth telling decades later.
Photography by @eurolism
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