BMW Dealer Commissioned A 1800 TI Pickup You Can Now Buy

BMW’s reluctance towards pickups is comprehensible. Luxurious vehicles are primarily restricted to the U.S. market, and because the Munich-based automaker doesn’t have a devoted platform for a workhorse, creating a pickup from scratch to serve primarily one area wouldn’t make monetary sense. Let’s not neglect the Mercedes X-Class, based mostly on the Nissan Navara, which turned out to be a industrial flop.

That stated, BMW has experimented with factory-built pickups over time. Its most up-to-date effort was an X7-based concept unveiled in 2019, although it remained a one-off. In 2011, engineers secretly constructed an M3 E92 pickup as an April Fools’ prank. Return even additional, and also you’ll discover the M3 E30 truck created in 1986, which was used in-house till 2012. Now, a brand new public sale hosted by Automotive & Traditional brings to mild a pickup that predates all of those oddball creations.

It’s a 1965 1800 TI from the unique Neue Klasse period. Reportedly, solely two have been ever made for a BMW dealership to make use of as service automobiles. Whereas the vehicles have been commissioned by the seller, the conversion was doubtless carried out externally. Once we requested BMW to verify its archives, the corporate advised us it has no report of manufacturing these vehicles.

This sedan-turned-pickup mashup underwent a full transformation and stays in good situation even after 60 years. The BMW truck that by no means was options M stripes on its white physique and a hitch with a hard and fast tow bar. Even the picket dashboard has held up properly, regardless of the 1800 TI’s age. Some put on and tear is seen, however that’s hardly stunning for a car constructed when most of us weren’t even born.

The VIN confirms it’s based mostly on the 1800 TI, so it packs a 1.8-liter inline-four engine modified by ALPINA. In its day, the engine produced a decent 110 horsepower, despatched to the rear wheels by way of a four-speed handbook gearbox. Prime pace? 106 mph (170 km/h). Based on the itemizing, every part works, and the truck even comes with a small set of instruments, simply in case.

Even when it wasn’t constructed by BMW itself, this 1800 TI pickup definitely seems like a manufacturing facility product. It has solely 62,613 kilometers (38,905 miles) on the odometer and is now searching for a brand new proprietor. For those who’re feeling adventurous, Automotive & Traditional is opening the bidding as we speak and can proceed by way of subsequent Sunday. Given its rarity, it’s tough to find out its promoting value. If BMW had confirmed it was an in-house construct, the worth would doubtless skyrocket. Even so, it’s an intriguing piece of automotive historical past, a “what if” Neue Klasse truck.

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