In advance of the 2008 British International Motor Show in London, we found a catalogue from the 1968 London Motor Show. So what were the stars of the show in London 40 years ago?
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BMW 2002 (page 1 of 10)
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The first of BMW's 'New Class' cars, the Michelotti-styled four-door 1500, made its debut in 1961 and a whole family of cars with the now-famous 'Hofmeister kink' (the angle joining the rear C-pillar to the car's body) followed, including the two-door derivatives. These '02'-series models had a lower roof and flatter windscreen than the four-doors, plus round headlamps and circular taillights: they were pretty, elegant and sporting.
The 2002 joined the range in 1968, with a 113bhp 1,990cc engine giving 106mph and 0-60mph in just over nine seconds. Yet it was easy to drive, seated four in comfort and returned up to 28mpg: no wonder it became BMW's best-seller, with nearly 339,100 finding homes. The 2002 (priced at £1,597 in 1968) set the template for the small sports saloon, and paved the way for the modern-day 3-Series (launched 1975). No wonder it was much-admired at the London Motor Show.
