To anyone around at the time, seeing Harry Theodorocopolous - call him “Harry T” - take on the Pete Brock-prepared factory-sponsored Datsun 510’s in a privateer BMW 2002 was magic. Datsun wound up winning the manufacturer’s trophy in SCCA’s 2.5 Challenge, the junior edition of the fabled Trans Am, and Brock the driver’s honors, but Harry T and his Bimmer kept the Datsuns (and the Alfas) honest.

The 2002 was the model that won American hearts for BMW. The name came from two liters and two doors and it proved as magic on the road as on the track. But that’s another story. All good things must end, though in the case of the 2002 it meant being replaced by another nifty sedan, the 320i, roomier inside and bigger engined as well, though the size mostly combatted the new federal emissions requirements’ effect on performance.

Anyway, time rolled around with one generation replacing the next until it got to the point that the 3-Series, as the 2002’s linear successor would be called, had “matured.” Ouch. With the 3-Series Mature or not, BMW saw an opportunity to slide another model, smaller and less expensive, under the 3-Series. Available in the U.S. as a coupe or convertible (a three-door hatch is available elsewhere, but Americans won’t buy ‘em), the new 1-Series shares the engines of the 3-Series but in a lighter, more compact chassis.

 Sounds like fun to us.

Read the carbuzzard.com review of the BMW 135i and then come back and tell us what you think about the car, the review, your place in the universe…