SoCal Vintage BMW Meet
The SoCal Vintage BMW Meet celebrates a classic era from a time not too long ago. Before BMW started building questionable cars such as the i3, X4 and 3-Series Gran Turismo. Before the development of technologies such as DCT, SMG, VANOS and iDrive. The SoCal Vintage BMW Meet celebrates a time where the focus was building "The Ultimate Driving Machine."
Unlike MFest or Bimmerfest, this event is open to any pre-90s BMW. This only means one thing, the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet makes for a gathering of some of the rarest, well-kept, vintage BMWs this side of Germany. Take a look at some examples.
The Rare and Vintage
When was the last time you saw a BMW 1600GT?
The very first M car, the mid-engined M1.
E34 M5 Estate, never sold in America, this is one of only a handful that have been brought across the Atlantic.
E36 M3 Lightweight
Shark Noses
Many of the cars at the show featured BMW’s distinct styling known as the "shark nose." A design feature of nearly every BMW until they went for a more upright nose in the mid-80s.
Preceding the 5-series, the Bavaria is one of the few BMW's not to have a numerical name.
This Bavaria packs a 400hp V8 from the E39 M5.
The predecessor to the BMW 6-series, the 3.0CS (E9) has aged gracefully over the years.
No wide screen displays or steering wheel buttons here. Just a sea of leather and wood.
Design touches like the "Hofmeister Kink" (rear window kink) and fender vents are still distinct BMW design touches continuing their use today.
Here is a rare 3.0CSL with full aero package. Random fact: The rear wing was originally illegal for use on German roads, so they were left in the trunk for the owner to install after purchase.
The E9 later evolved into the 6-Series (E24).
The 6-series’ long wheelbase just begs to be slammed to the ground.
The Good Ol' 2002
Sometimes simple and clean is the way to go.
Rocket Bunny kit? Nope. Factory over fenders.
Packing 170hp in 1973, the 2002 Turbo meant business. The reverse lettering on the chin spoiler was to let cars in front know to get out of your way.
Round taillights or circle taillights? Bumpers or no bumpers? Flared fenders or narrow body?
"In 1976, God stopped making BMWs" - 1977 was the last year of the 2002.
2002 updated with an LED light bar and Work VS-XX, commonly seen on JDM-styled builds.
Hoosiers & CCW wheels tucked under fender flares, makes this 2002 an autocross cone killer.
'80s babies
Clockwise from the left: 3.0 CSI, E24 6-Series, E28 5-Series, E34 M5. The lights stay round, but the bumpers get bigger and kidney grill gets wider.
When it was introduced, the 1st gen M5 was the fastest production sedan in the world.
This trio of E28 5-Series' "Family of 5s" were recently featured in this Petrolicious video.
A clean example of an E28 from Garage Welt, looking just as good as it came came off the lot almost three decades ago.
Amazing how pristine this period correct Alpina C1 2.3 is with its deep chin spoiler and square fog lights.
Box fenders and 200hp motor separate the E30 M3 from the standard E30 3-series. Not long ago, you could find a used E30 M3 for around $15k. These days salvage title M3s can go for $30k, depending on condition!
Alpina, Alpina, Alpina!
Long time BMW tuner Alpina has been known to build some of the fastest and rarest customized BMWs. We are talking about less than 1,000 produced rare!
Alpina leaves nothing untouched; leaving their mark on the exterior, interior, engine and wheels.
Period Correct let an Alpina 1600 and an E36 wagon from their collection get some fresh air today.
Hope you enjoyed our coverage from the SoCal Vintage BMW Meet. Be sure to stay tuned to DrivingLine.com for more event coverage!
