LONDON.- This BMW was snapped up by Williams BMW Group, at the recent H&H Classics sale at Duxford on October 17, taking the car back to its roots for a total restoration.

The connection happened thanks to Iain Burt who formerly worked at Williams BMW and now is Head of Operations at H&H Classics. He realised that the car would be of interest to Williams BMW Group as it was originally supplied by them in the early 1970’s. He emailed the Directors to say it was in the sale and they dispatched their Group Buyer, Adam Kirkpatrick to view it at Warrington pre-sale. Once he had seen it he was very keen to acquire the car as it was complete with all of the original dealer paperwork right down to a business card.

Adam attended the sale at Duxford and became the successful bidder.

So now it has been repatriated to Williams BMW Group after 45 years and they are planning to fully restore the car to its former glory.

Iain Burt said: “This was one of those serendipitous things that happen when you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I was delighted to be able to make the connection back to the car’s original supplier in the UK, the Williams BMW Group where I had worked previously.”

Adam Kirkpatrick says: “The moment I saw the car at H&H Classics HQ in Warrington I knew that we would want it back if we could win it at auction”. It will now be given the full Williams BMW restoration and lots of TLC.”

'YNA 718M' is a genuine two-owner car that was supplied new by Williams BMW Manchester and serviced by them until 1988. The vendor acquired the BMW in 1991, but it has lain unused in dry storage since 1998, so will need a degree of recommissioning before returning to the roads. Finished in the combination of White bodywork and Black cloth interior trim it is now offered at No Reserve, complete with original book pack and two sets of keys. Based on a shortened version of the 'Neue Klasse' Saloons, BMW's 02 Series launched in 1966 with the 1600-2 (1600cc/2-door), whose moniker was quickly simplified to 1602. Seeking a more powerful version, BMW then inserted the 1990cc M10 engine from the 2000CS Coupe to produce the 2002 - thereby spawning one of the finest sporting Saloons of the 1960s. The performance was decidedly brisk for the period, with 60mph achievable in 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 108mph.