Following the introduction of stricter safety regulations for convertibles, a full convertible version of the BMW 2002 was no longer feasible. Hermann Wenzelburger, Chief Designer at automotive coachbuilder Baur, developed a new convertible with roll-over bar and fixed rear side windows so that motorists were still able to enjoy open-top driving with the wind coursing through their hair. Although the sports car could no longer offer the full appeal of completely open-top driving and fell short of providing the visual harmony of the full convertible, more than 2,300 units of the vehicle were sold. Today, this particular car is in great demand among enthusiastic collectors. Righthand drive vehicles were also built for the first time and exported primarily to Japan, England and South Africa.