According to the list in Mike's book its a Model '71 manufactured between Jan 1973 and April 1973, so it looks like you've just missed the cut-off with it. (Page 210, second batch of E12 mod 71's).
Fay, can you give any clues on chassis no 1659656? That’s what my 2002 calls itself, but that number doesn’t appear in Mike’s list as far as I could see.
You chassis number falls being built somewhere between January 1973 and August 1973 in a batch from chassis number 3441114 to 3441537. This information is taken from Mike Macartney's "The BMW 02 Restoration Guide."
If you need proof of a date of building you can email BMW here: ....
BMW have wiped over many of the original numbers with later models on their general database (helpful huh?) but their archie department can usually help. One of our customers got through to the dvla OK with a printed out email from BMW.