Classic car love in Hooksiel: Ulrich Nolzen and his BMW 1600 GT

Classic car love in Hooksiel: Ulrich Nolzen and his BMW 1600 GT

In the quiet setting of Hooksiel, Ulrich Nolzen has discovered a passion that goes far beyond simply owning a vehicle. The classic car fan, who moved from Wuppertal to the charming coastal town with his wife in 2015, is fulfilling his dream of historic cars. He is particularly fond of his BMW 1600 GT from 1967, which is waiting in his garage to shine at the regular trips of the Oldtimer-Klön-Treff (OKT). Nolzen brought this BMW from Bordeaux and painstakingly restored it by hand after the car was in a less than pleasing condition, characterized by rust and necessary modern adjustments. As Hooksiel Life reports, the wooden steering wheel has also been preserved, which gives the vehicle a nostalgic charm.

The BMW 1600 GT is an extraordinary piece of automotive history, originally designed by Hans Glas GmbH before BMW took over the company. In total, only 1,255 examples of these elegant coupés were produced. The car, painted in dark blue with its characteristic BMW kidney grille, has a lot to offer both externally and technically. Equipped with an M10 four-cylinder engine that delivers 105 horsepower and an improved rear axle that optimizes the original design, the BMW 1600 GT is a true gem. Many of these vehicles, like Nolzen's, were produced in various variants, including models that were put into dry storage until 1982 and are now highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, as Car and Classic notes.

A contribution to automotive culture

Nolzen has more than just a classic car in his garage, he has created a community. The OKT, which he founded in 2016, meets every first Sunday of the month at the Ulfers bakery in Hooksiel. Here, like-minded people share stories and memories while the shiny vehicles sparkle in the sun. Nolzen, who as a young man took on responsibility for an industrial furnace construction company, found a balance to his everyday working life by working on old cars. His first vintage car, a DKW bus, motivated him to delve further into the fascinating world of historic automobiles.

The technology and design of the BMW 1600 GT also have interesting roots. The coupé was built in Moncalieri by Carrozzeria Frua, while the bodyshell was completed in Dingolfing. The mix of classic style and BMW technology makes this vehicle so special. Old values ​​and modern engineering go hand in hand here, so that fans of this series always get their money's worth. The body also does not suffer from the ravages of time, which many see as a stroke of luck, especially since the models were produced between September 1967 and August 1968, as Photo Community highlights.

A look into the future

The future of his relationship with his classic car and also with his new home remains an exciting chapter for Nolzen. Despite the setbacks his BMW 1600 GT is experiencing, he may eventually be ready to sell it - at the right price, of course. But until then he enjoys tinkering and socializing in the vintage car club. How enriching this passion is not only for him, but also for the entire automotive culture in Hooksiel, is shown in the lively conversations that take place on the first Sunday of every month.

In a time when many things are fleeting, Nolzen offers a piece of stability and joy with his restoration work - not just for himself, but for everyone who shares the fascination with old vehicles. When you drive through the streets of Hooksiel and hear the hum of a classic BMW, you know: The passion for automobiles lives on here.