K&N has partnered with the Clarion Builds program and is moving forward with the complete restoration and modernization of this 1974 BMW 2002
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Few cars have attained the cult status and impacted a modern car manufacturer the way the iconic BMW 2002 did for Bavarian Motor Works (BMW). BMW had struggled following World War II, however the “New Class” of sport sedans ensured the manufacturer’s survival and established the company as an international brand. The 2002 is peculiar in that it is a two-door sedan, but this car was able to reinforce BMW’s notoriety in the compact sporting sedan market and would serve as the forerunner to the BMW 3-series. It has been nearly 40 years since the last O2, as owners call them, rolled off the line, but popularity of the O2 has not ceased.
Clarion plans to update the interior of this classic 1974 BMW 2002 with a Clarion entertainment system and race-inspired seats
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K&N was recently approached by the Clarion Corporation of America to join forces in the first-ever Clarion Builds project which will restore a classic 1974 BMW 2002. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. K&N and Clarion represent different fields of the automotive aftermarket industry, yet share the same passion for performance and motorsports. The new Clarion Builds program is designed to serve as a base for Clarion and partners, like K&N, to tackle unique restoration projects of iconic cars and trucks. This project can be described as a resto-mod since Clarion Builds plans to not only restore the car to factory condition but to also enhance key components of the '74 2002. Clarion Builds will bring the O2 up to modern standards without sacrificing what made the little BMW a success over 40 years ago.
The BMW 2002 was the direct predecessor of the BMW E21 3-series and established BMW as an international brand
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Depending on the sub-model, the BMW 2002 was rated between 100 and 120 horsepower from the factory. Clarion has decided to rebuild the engine and install upgraded components in order to achieve modern day power. K&N will lend 45 years of performance expertise toward the goal of adding “wow factor” under the hood. "K&N is known in the industry as the preferred brand for filtration products not just for the enthusiasts but hard core professionals alike, so it’s fantastic to have them as part of the Clarion Builds program," stated Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning for Clarion Corporation of America. “K&N’s impressive fan base and dedicated followers, as well as the overall awareness of the brand amongst all types of automotive enthusiasts, will undoubtedly influence the success of the Clarion Builds program and benefit our current project tremendously.”
With assistance from K&N filters, Clarion Builds will upgrade the 1,990 cc engine with updated components and make modern day horsepower and torque figures
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Restoration of the Clarion Builds 1974 BMW 2002 is already underway with a complete tear down as the first task followed by extensive rust repair. K&N will follow the Clarion Builds project as it moves along and provide updates on the K&N social media platforms as well as the KNFilters.com/news webpage.
About Clarion:
Headquartered in Cypress, California, Clarion Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Japan-based Clarion Co. Ltd, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is engaged in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, infotainment, communication, safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards for design, innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com.
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