StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I agree with you, Kim. That is a really nice profile in the first pic.

Nice shots, BTW!

Stan

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great set, Kim.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Just noticed it has a Nardi wood wheel and Cocoa mats that match the exterior/interior colors. Back in the days, a new car always meant a new set of Cocoa mats with the pattern colors coordinating with the car. Brings back memories…

Abo

Too right

Stephan G

Query: "Rap" or "Wrap-around"?

1963mca

I still have my '72 2002 purchased new. My first BMW was a 1968 BMW 1600. In 1970 I traded up to a new 2002 and joined the BMWCCA. In 1972 I wanted to move up to the new Bavaria model although my wife wanted to keep the 2002 for herself. My BMW dealer made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He pulled out the original invoice for my '70 2002 I had bought from him and gave me that exact amount as trade in of my 2 year old 2002 towards the new Bavaria. Since my wife still wanted a 2002 he then arranged through the overseas delivery program, since I was going to Germany anyway, for a new '72 2002 for my wife. While in Germany I was able to take delivery of the car, driving it while I was there and then shipped it home. So she got the 2002 she wanted and I got the Bavaria. We still have the '72 2002, but some years later the Bavaria was traded in (same dealer again) for an '80 633 Csi, which we also still have. Our newest BMW is a 2012 535i, although in 2009 I ordered a (BMW) Mini Cooper S built to my specs, and again, we still have this one. I still flash my headlights at other BMW and Mini drivers just like in the old days with 1600/2002 drivers. But I'm afraid most just ignore me. To them it's just a car, not a way of life for my last 54 years.

Trivia questions: In the picture of the 3.0 Csi, there is what looks like a column mounted shift lever on the right side of the steering wheel. Who remembers what that lever was for? Also, when and why did the phrase "Real BMWs have round tail lights" come about. And finally, does anyone else cringe like me when they hear people call BMW cars "Beamers" rather than "Bimmers"? Beamers are BMW motorcycles while Bimmers are BMW automobiles.

Paul -- BMWCCA club member #449 since 1970

LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

Interesting history. Who is your BMW dealer?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Now that is real brand loyalty and a wonderful stable. I ended up putting a pair of 45DCOE Webers on 1800 TISA (European version) intake manifolds on my 2002 which were actually orderable from the local dealer’s parts dept. Added some Alpina springs, Bilstein shocks and BFG TAs on alloy wheels plus Ferodo brakes. Later started working with Miller and Norburn (NA’s Alpina disto) on their IMSA car. We just ran away from the minis and Lotus Cortina’s that had previously dominated small sedan racing. My wife and I test drove a 3L Bavaria and would have bought it and kept the 2002, but I went to the Porsche dealer to test drive a 914 for her. Ended up selling the 2002 and a MKII Jag to buy a 911E. Had a 535I for awhile and almost bought a 540I, but then the tech crash happened, and that was that. I would buy a 2002TII or CS coupe in a minute if I could find a nice one locally - they were great automobiles. Post some images - here’s my 2002 before we changed the wheels.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Cruise control? L. I have a 94 325ic that I love!!!

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Cool car.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Nice! The E30 is one of the best BMWs ever.

1963mca

His name was Jiri Necheliba(sp?), his dealership was AutoSport by Jiri in Vestal NY. He was a BMW and Lotus dealer. He was VERY knowledgable about sports cars, all brands, plus built and sponsored some SCCA race cars. Jiri handled service for both my 1957 AC Ace and 1956 AC Aceca Bristol (the car in my avatar) until his death. He had an interesting life as well, he escaped from Czechoslovakia by building a glider that he flew over the Iron Curtain and eventually worked his way to here in the US. He never really talked much about that experience, all he wanted to talk about were cars and racing. Jiri passed away some years ago, his dealership was sold to Gault Chevrolet in Endicott, NY after his death and it is run as a completely separate BMW dealership, no race car prep, just a commercial dealership.

If they work, here are some links to some recent info about a car he built and and is still being raced. Dave Nicholas, the driver mentioned in these is a friend from the SNYR-SCCA that I've known since the 1960's. Some of the real old timers from the 60's and 70's (as well as current youngsters) get together once in a while for beer and pizza and talking about the good old days. Spent many years at Watkins Glen for everything from SCCA races to CanAm and of course F1 Gran Prix. As an SCCA course worker got to meet a lot of the greats, Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, etc and spent a lot of time at Oscar Kovaleski's Autoworld shop down near Scranton,PA. Got a lot of my car gear from Oscar, the 2002's my wife and I drove in SCCA track events all rode on Bluestreak Racing Tires from Oscar's.

https://bsedan.com/blogs/b-sedan/bmw-1600-race-car-that-was-built-by-auto-sport-by-jiri-in-the-summer-of-1972

https://za.pinterest.com/pin/548242954639887375/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id=&simplified=true

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/286052-autosport-by-jiri-60-still-at-it-lime-rock-ta-2021/

1963mca

Nope, that lever was on the BMW's for some time into the 70's, it is the turn signal stalk! I've driven my older BMW's so much that to this very day, muscle memory makes my right hand flip on the windshield wipers when I go to make a turn. Takes a second to recover and switch to my left hand to the turn signal stalk on the left of the steering wheel.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Thanks but it is actually an E36. The 36 was introduced in 1991. It is my first BMW. I basically paid nothing for it. Lol. I have to say it handles better than anything else I have built. The only thing I did to it was put 16in wheels and change the springs. Also tied the subframes together. It is an amazing handling automobile. And it's cute. Lol.

LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

Very interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!