Last year we reported on the Clarion Builds 1974 BMW 2002. Clarion USA undertook the restoration of the iconic car that helped establish BMW as an automotive force in the United States. We certainly understand and agree with their choice for this project. How could we not?
Clarion Builds completed the project in time to display the car at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this month.
To recap, in the last six months, Clarion Builds teamed up with its industry partners to restore and modify—with an updated custom Clarion audio system—a Fjord Blue 1974 BMW 2002. The ’02 received new paint and bodywork, an all-new perforated leather interior with matching alcantara headliner in oyster, a Nardi steering wheel and other accessories, refinished BBS RS wheels, an upgraded suspension, a tuned rebuilt engine, and a five-speed transmission.
“As a car guy, there is nothing more exciting than seeing the fruits of several months of painstaking work come together in the form of a beautifully restored classic car,” said Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning at Clarion Corporation of America. “From the fit and finish of the paint and body work, to the meticulous attention paid to every detail of the build, our Clarion Builds 2002 turned out absolutely breathtaking. We are, of course, extremely grateful to all of our program partners that supported us throughout the build and look forward to working with them all again on future Clarion Builds projects.”
Clarion Builds is Clarion USA’s innovative marketing program that accomplishes restoration projects of iconic cars and trucks in cooperation with key partners.
On the Clarion Builds web site at http://www.clarionbuilds.com/build-projects/bmw-2002/, the company documented its progress on the car with videos and blogs. All of the videos posted there are fascinating for BMW fans, especially lovers of classic Bimmers.
For example, here is their video in which the team puts the finishing touches on the car’s interior and exterior before taking it to CES 2015. We think it’s great that Clarion chose the 2002 for its project and put up the videos for our enjoyment and education.—Scott Blazey
[Photos and video courtesy of Clarion USA.]
