Knebworth - Fathers Day Classic 21st June 2009

Above Replica of the Konig Touring Car M3

Rare Z8

Mint CSL Engine Bay

Genuine 280GTO (Twin Turbo'd)

Genuine 250GT (Worth in Excess of £2M)

Stunning Lancia replica

Fabulous D-Type replica complete with rivets

Rare Cosworth 500 (Touring Car)

Another Touring car from the 1980-90's

Rare E12 M535i (the original Motor Sport car)

Zinnobar Red, Brilliant Red, Misano Red

Touring Cars - Face Off

Masters Series Race weekend May 2009 Brands Hatch

Duxford Spring Classic Car Show 3rd May 2009

M5 E28

Genuine 356 Police Car (it came with the Uniform too)

Lots of Classic Bikes too

Planes indicate lost lives during WWII this was one of many sheets

Blackbird - 85,000 ft at Mach 3

B10 Alpina

M3 with 20" Wheels

Detailed paint on M3 above

Nice to see a few E28's for a change

Stefano's stunning CSL

A rare Lotus Calton Twin Turbo - This car took away the M5 E28's crown as the fastest Saloon car

A beautiful V12 Classic

Another rare sight - two M535i's E12's The first Motorsport car

Gordon Keeble Tortoise Badge

112 BMW's with 30 Clubs in attendance

TVR's too

Only the Brave apply here

M5, M535i, M5

135i Twin Turbo with Performance Brake upgrade

Nice line of 02 Bonnets

Lelystad 2008 (Dutch 02 weekend) September

Buy & sell your Parts.

Tim's Heidegger 02 October's COTM.

This beauty wowed the crouds last year/ Period roof rack, snow board. More on this one soon (hopefully).

Spot the "Ti" badge on the front towing eye.

Recent nut & bolt rebuild.

Knebworth Classic August 2008

Gaydon BMW Festival August 2008

More on this beast soon.

Turbo Treffen 2008 (The Netherlands)

The German Turbo Register has 50 members and once a year, some of its members meet up in Europe. This year was the turn of the Dutch to host it, previous years have included Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Demark to name a few. As usual the Dutch organisation was faultless; Edwin & Wim had planned everything like clockwork. We left for the event on the Thursday and during overtaking a tractor in Holland the car developed a miss-fire. Upon inspection No.2 spark plug cap seemed badly burnt and since the head was refitted I didn’t refit the heat shield (I should know better). Swapping plug caps around didn’t seem to help either. We eventually arrived at the Hampshire Inn, Elspeet set in the middle of a pine forest. Upon arrival we met other Turbo owners from all over Europe and a nice cold beer awaited us.

On the first day we had a busy schedule so didn’t really have the time to look at the car. So on the Friday we drove out to the Zuiderzee Museum ( HYPERLINK "http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl" www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl) via the E22/A7 which is a road that runs right through the North Sea for approximately 15 miles, it’s a strange feeling like driving across the sea. On one side you have the North Sea and the other a massive man-made lake. 60% of The Netherlands is below sea-level and a lot of land is “reclaimed”, the Dutch are world leaders at this. The Zuiderzee Museum was founded in 1948,.the decision was made to develop an open air Museum at the end of the nineteen sixties. The Museum Park was completed in 1983, after years of preparation. This provides an image of how people used to live and work around the Zuiderzee between 1880 and 1930, the period which preceded the completion of the IJsselmeer Dam in 1932.In the evening we drove back across the E22, stopped at a parking bay for a photo opportunity and then returned to the hotel for dinner and of course most of the discussions were on turbo’s again and the problems with mine.

On the Saturday it was a more relaxed affair, we left the cars for a rest and had a coach trip arranged to Amsterdam then onto Zandvoort for lunch. We arrived in Amsterdam and took a canal trip, which was very interesting. Then back on the coach to Zandvoort for lunch at a beach restaurant. Then we headed back to the Hotel and dinner to talk about more turbos.

Sunday was checking out time. But Dutch 02 enthusiast Wim offered to take us to his garage and look at my turbo. We followed Wim and then pulled into his drive way to be greeted by a massive old BMW sign on the side of a barn.

Inside is Wim’s workshop which is a dream garage. He has lifting hoists, pits, a floor you could eat your dinner off, wall to wall with BMW 02 memorabilia, all the old BMW Diagnostic equipment and a Bar, how cool is that? Wim set about my turbo and within ten minutes had diagnosed the problem. No.2 spark plug electrode had broken (or melted) hence the miss-fire, Wim cleaned everything up and fitted new Bosch Super 4 spark plugs, within minutes the car fired into life and run smoothly – problem solved. The car drove faultlessly back over 400 miles without skipping a beat and pulled strong, when I get time I need to fit the heat cover, new plug leads and make sure I only use Bosch Super 4 plugs as these seem to really suit the turbo. This is priceless information that was never documented but years of experience can only provide. Wim used to work for the local BMW dealer and has owned his lovely Polaris turbo for nearly 25 years, it even has a tow-bar on the turbo and he can be seen towing a caravan all over Europe.
A big “Thank You” must go to Wim for saving our weekend and to Edwin for a fantastic Treffen.
The Turbo Register can be found at; http://www.bmw-2002-turbo-club.de

Classics On The Common - Harpenden 30th July 2008

World Touring Cars Brand Hatch 27th July

3 Times World Champion: Andy Priaulx

Peachy Race 1502

Le Mans Classic June 2008

Larger images available

All Images Copyrighted;

The Master Series Historic Series - Brands Hatch

Larger images available

Wet & Windy Monday 26th May

Elva BMW with M10 Lester Owen engine.

Jacky Icxx's Ferrari F1 car.

Chevron BMW with M12 4-Cylinder with Schnitzer Twin cam head developing 300 Bhp (swallows Squirrels - don't ask).

(Sunday 25th May 2008)

The Watford & District Classic Car show 11th May at the Rickmansworth Aquadrome:

The Duxford Classic Car show 4th May 2008:

Above: Nice to see a couple of Motorsport striped cars together, this is an E12 M535i & 2002 Turbo.

Webmaster's Turbo with E30 polished alloys, still not sure if they look right.

M3 Arriving.

Loads of 750i's turned up, here's two nice examples.

Most other Marques were represented to. For a show that will grow & grow.

Rare Opel GTs.

An Ex-Girlfriend.

Lotus Europa arrives.

Stunning Maseratti GT.

A rare Limited edition "Bullit" Mustang.

Dino, lots of other Ferrari's turned up, but this was my favourite.

More Seven's.

B10 one of many Alpina's that attended.

Rare B12 5.7 Litre.

Ford GT40.

Lovely Bentley.

Porsche's with everything from 356 to model versions.

Memphis Belle. Under going some work, before flying soon.

Escorts Mk1's.

A Rare CS 2000 Coupe & Tii.

1 of 2 ovely D3 Alpina's.

BMW Engined Weismann V8.

Ford Focus Rally Car & Pearlesant Subaru.

A rare Aston DBS

Rare sight these days, a 628 Csi.

Opel GT's again.

A Lovely unspoilt E36 M3 Evo.

The New Historic Festival at Brands Hatch GP circuit 2007:

What a Trailer & Motorhome!

We had a BMW Car Club stand at this huge event, recreating the excitement of the old Coys weekend that used to be at Silverstone for those lucky enough to remember.
Featured events included races on both the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from the 1970's Grand Prix cars, that evoked great memories of the British Grand Prix and Race of the Champions in that era. Other stars included the Le Mans-style World Sportscar Masters race, early 70's monsters from Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Lola returned to the scene of the famous BOAC endurance races of the period. With the elegance and power of the GT cars from the Gentleman Drivers series, the early 1960's Sports Racing Masters in which GT40's and Lola T70 Spiders battled with nimble Lotus 23's and Elvas; and with several races for pre-66 saloons.

You were allowed to wander around the Pits, hospitality areas, and all around the circuit, talking to teams and drivers. But what made it for me was the 2000 Neu Klasse saloons that were entered into the pre-1966 saloon car championships. We met up with several 2000's in the holding area to discover that a newly formed team had the former F1 racing driver - Jackie Oliver racing for them. Richard Shaw's team had two of the 2000's very nicely presented at the event, with attention to detail that many of us would die for. On the Sunday in the last saloon car race Jackie Oliver took out the Neu Klasse saloon first then swapped over with owner/driver Richard Shaw to go on and win the race. I have to say the little Mini Coopers were indeed "Giant Slayers" they took on everyone including the mighty Mustangs and Jaguars to hold there own. Two Mini Coopers came second and third in the race the 2000 won.

We are definitely going back next year May bank Holiday again at the end of May 2008. I have spoken to the organisers and as we were there this year we will get prime place, don't miss it, I'm sure the Neu Klasse's will be back to defend their titles. Video action is on YouTube search for bmw2002couk or Brands Hatch.

Jackie Oliver

“DID” Day (22nd April 2007)

Turbo with Fighter Jet

The FBHV “Drive-it-Day”, was to show the Government how strong the classic car movement is in the UK. So instead of us running around the countryside, I decide to make everyone head to Duxford War Museum just off the M11. Some of you will fondly remember Duxford from the BMW Drivers club meets, but a lot has changed in recent years there. Not only is there the large hanger with one of the original Concorde’s in it, there’s a bouncing bomb, Lancaster bomber, Harrier jet, Helicopters and much more. Additional features now include a massive separate hanger with American war plans including the Enola Gay, a stealth Blackbird and B52 with awesome wing span. There’s also a land display hanger (unfortunately I did get to see) and rides in a Tiger Moth to name many of the attractions.

Paul Hill's Stunning Neu Klasse 2000 Auto

Nice No. Plate

02 Line Up: 2000 Touring/2000 Neu Klasse/2002/Turbo/Cabrio/Tii

BMW’s started arriving early with a huge contingency from the 7-Series Register (www.the7seriesregister.co.uk) that shamed us all, these guys really know how to get strong attendances to their events. We had the designated area next to the American Aircraft Museum where we parked all the various models in there categories, we had every 7-Series from the E38 upwards (one of their owners owns the original James Bond 7-Series, not present on the day), a favourite of mine an M5 E28 in Black, several Alpina’s including Ross Harris’s stunning B7 Turbo in Alpina blue and a C2 E30 2.7 in Dolphin Grey metallic, a original CSL in Fjord blue, a cheaply purchased 840Ci in Estoril blue, Paul Hill’s beautiful 2000 Neu Klasse Saloon (brought along by his father – John), a full line-up of every 2002, which in itself is rare. We had a 2000 Touring, several 2002’s, a gorgeous Cabriolet, a Turbo (firing on 3-cylinders, mine) and new 02er Gary Christofi in his recent 2002 Tii acquisition, the Cooks Ferry restored Inka Tii. Even an Aston Martin Vantage wanted to “gatecrash” the action – who were we to object.

During the day a gentleman turned up in his Ferrari, parked it outside a hanger (all the planes in this hanger are owned by this person), he then took out his Spitfire and spend several hours flying around for our pleasure. This made it for everyone, as there can’t be many left flying in the World and so see and hear that awesome plane with its Merlin V10 barrel rolling and doing loops was fantastic. We’re going to have to do some more events at Duxford, watch this space.

Ross's Stunning Rare Alpina B7 Turbo

Retro Cars Magazine – RYWB (Run what ya brung) 2nd July 2006.

Now in its fourth year I believe, this fabulous packed day included Classic’s for every marque represented, with live ¼ Mile track action. We had 30 cars on the BMW car club display, from 2002’s to some unusual modified BMW’s – read on. Neil MacDonald decided to race his M3 E30 Cabrio down the ¼ mile against a friend’s Alpina E30 Cabrio. Track action included a highly modified E30 with a V8 lump in it that was fantastic to watch hurtling down the drag strip (sorry can’t remember the times), it had a badge on the boot stating “375” I’m presume that was the BHP, boy what a tool.

But everything was shamed by a Jet car, with the sonic boom of an aircraft and after-burner on full, not hard really as it did have a jet engine from a fighter jet installed, I did see it clock-up 255 Mph over the ¼ mile and sounded awesome, respect.

Best car of the stand has to go to “Jaws” a uniquely modified 635Csi, that had been painted in two-tone grey, wing gills added, and of course the shark fin aerial all to resemble a shark (hence the phrase shark nose BMW) it was actually very well done.

Bavaria Tour 2006

It should have been renamed the “Alan Tour 2006” as we had four UK drivers called Alan, a total of 11 02’s actually made it. Some of the guys stayed in Dover overnight as they had further to travel on the first day. We all met up at the Ferry port and checked in ready for the 08:15 to Calais. A short trip across the Channel and bit of breakfast onboard ready for a hard days driving through France. We had a quick visit to Louis Roederer Champagne in the centre of Reims courtesy of Allan Bussell (Thank You Allan) for a quick refreshing glass of bubbly, I had to diagnose the faulty fuse powering the electric fan causing me to over heat in town, a petrol pouring out of the top of the injection pump, fortunately most of the driving was Motorway of course. We then continued on our way to a Hotel in Hinterweidenthal (nicknamed “winter wonderland” as easier to say) for a while earned rest, fuel, food and sleep at a superb Hotel, thanks again to Mr. Bussell.

Alpina factory visit.

I had arranged a visit for a select few via my contact at Alpina, we turned up as arranged in the afternoon in Buchloe, to be met in reception and then was told how Alpina came to be (I’m sure you all know the story by now?). Anyway we were lead around the works explaining how Alpina was a manufacturer in its own right and how they came to work in co-operation with BMW. The site used to be the old Pampers nappies and how Burkard Bovensiepen came to get it, many of the parts are still hand-made and a joy to see the engineers still there applying their trade after all these years. For example the gentleman on the Dyno today testing a V8 with 520 ‘real’ Bhp was the original engineer that worked in the 1970’s developing the original F1 M10 engine – we were in the company of a God. But even more incredible was the heat generated from these awesome engines could be used to heat Mrs. Bovensiepen’s swimming pool in the back yard (I kid you not). As the Bovensiepen’s still live there today. There was a stunning B7 Turbo E12 in the yard being worked on by the Alpina mechanics – apparently recently having 80-90,000 Euro’s spent on it, yes you read me right.

There was the history of Alpina engines on display of course my favorite being the M10 A4S of course. We got to see the trimming department with some gorgeous leather hides and materials being made for special customers. The Alpina parts with the car are all sent back to BMW to be re-assembled on the BMW production line, they then come back to Alpina for the final fit-outs & body kits assembled. We then was treated to see the Alpina wine cellars and explained how Mr. Bovensiepen came to make a business out of his two favourite hobbies. A big Thanks you must go to our host for taking the time to entertain us – Axel Rimpler “You’re a Star”.

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