ETA 02. How to transform the BMW 1 Series into the legendary BMW 02
The recipe is simple: take an old BMW 1 Series Convertible and turn it into a retro ETA 02 Cabrio. In turn, we’d like to tell you more about the legend’s return. Moreover, retro cars remain trendy. Automakers continue to offer customers such production models as the Fiat 500 and MINI, which are reminiscent of the good old days and laconic designs. BMW is happy to delight fans of retro cars with its new concept cars, for example, the BMW 02 Homage (2016). Private collectors are still fascinated by retro cars. Owning a retro BMW is a completely different matter than driving an old BMW.
The small company Everytimer Automobile from Velden, near Augsburg in Bavaria, is reviving the legendary BMW 02 convertibles almost in their original form, in which they were sold from 1968 to 1971. The retro style body of the legendary BMW 02 comprises systems and equipment borrowed from the modern BMW 1 Series Convertible (E88). The company plans to produce 30 of these convertibles annually. You don’t have to buy this car to become the owner of the ETA 02 Cabrio. If you already own a BMW 1 Series Convertible (E88), Everytimer can convert it into a retro convertible.
Everytimer Automobile (ETA) is a business union of Käs father and son. Harald (Käs Sr.) has been rebuilding old cars, mainly BMWs, since 1981. His son Michael, at the age of 17, was sent by his father to train to become an electrician and until 2018 ran his own electric installation company. However, he continued loving retro cars, so Michael also restored cars in his free time. By the age of 19, he became a mechanical engineer specializing in BMW cars. In August 2014, Käs father and son established their joint business, Everytimer Automobile GmbH. In March 2018, they presented their first car, the ETA 02 Cabriolet, at the Retro Classics Stuttgart.
What does the ETA 02 look like?
The ETA 02 is quite similar to the iconic BMW 02, but at the same time the retro car is based on the modern 1 Series convertible, starting from the body structure and interior to the technologies and safety systems used. Crafted by Everytimer, carbon fiber panels and finishes are precision-engineered. The gaps in the joints do not exceed 0.5 mm.
The technical equipment of modern convertibles remains unchanged during their transformation into retro two-door cars. Therefore, any specialized BMW service center anywhere in the world can easily take on the repair and maintenance of such an ETA 02 Cabrio. Their owners will have to contact Everytimer only in case of a need for a serious body repair.
‘We didn’t want a simple copy of a historical model. We have created a car in retro design with modern technology that brings back memories of the past while offering safety, reliability and comfort at today’s level. And at the same time fully suitable for everyday use’
The buyers have a lot of options for personalizing their cars, up to embroidering any logo on the seat backs. The ETA 02 comes standard with bi-xenon headlights and round full LED rear lights inspired by the design of the early BMW 02. For a surcharge, you can choose 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels. And if you decide to remake the 135i version into a retro convertible, you can increase the engine output up to 326 hp, while improving the cooling system elements.
Operating and maintenance costs
Maintenance costs for these rare convertibles remain on par with modern BMWs, and insurance is standard (at least in Germany). The ETA 02 convertibles are classified in this country as officially registered updated models, which, consequently, fall into the same category as the regular open-top BMW 1 Series.
Due to the use of carbon fiber and manual labor, converting a regular BMW 1 Series Cabrio into an open-top ETA 02 is not cheap. The most affordable variant with body panels in matt black is estimated at around 60,000 euros. And it will cost around 107,000 euros to ‘age’ the 135i version.
