BMW 1602 Converted Into a Six-Cylinder Sports Truck

The BMW "New Class" is a landmark vehicle line in the Bavarian carmaker's history that spawned a series of models including 1500 and 1800 sedans, the 2002 Touring hatchback and of course, the famed 2002tii and 2002 Turbo coupes, all of which paved the way for the birth of the 3-Series.

What BMW did not create was a pickup-truck version of the Neue Klasse in the style of the Chevrolet El Camino or the Australian Ford and Holden Utes.

So how did this 1971 model pictured here come to be? This car is the brainchild of San Francisco, California-based tuning and service company Ottowerks and it has been listed for sale on eBay.

Ottowerks says it begun with a 1971 BMW "1600", which we assume from the body, is the 1602 coupe model. After cutting the roof from the driver's seat and back and removing the rear seat bench, Ottowerks crafted a truck bed.

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A Perfect Match: A Short Film from BMW Classic about a Man and his 1602

If you’re the kind of type that falls in love with his wheels no matter what anybody else says or believes, then we’re pretty sure you’re going to be fond of BMW Classic’s new short film called “A Perfect Match”.

The movie, which was awarded the Golden Dolphin at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, follows the story of a man called Jack and his search for appropriate replacement for his battered down BMW 1602. The reason? Blame the lack of an air conditioning system that has made his life unbearable in the hot summer days and nights of Los Angeles. You may or may not suspect what’s going to happen half-way through the film, but either way, we won't spoil the end. To view the film, simply follow the break below.

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Motoring Icons: A Tribute to BMW’s 1500 / 1800 / 2000 Series

In 1961 at the 40th Annual Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany, Bavarian automaker BMW lifted the wraps off of two very special prototypes: the first of its 1500 “Neue Klasse” mid-sizers. For years, Beamer had been working on a new model to slot between its entry-level one and two cylinder cars and its more expensive, luxury-geared six and eight cylinder ones.

The result was a stylish four door sedan fitted with a 75 hp (56 kW) inline four, front disc brakes and weighing in at 2,095 lb (950 kg).

The design of the saloon was reminiscent of Italian cars, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given that, when developing the design of the 1500, BMW’s chief stylist Wilhelm Hofmeister had sought the advice of Giovanni Michelotti, who had already collaborated on the 700.

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