I came upon this car one day during a visit out to California with my wife. We were out to see her moms God Mother while we were in Vegas. So we road tripped up for an overnight stay to see her. She is an elderly woman in her 90's with failing health. She and her partner have lived together for decades and while there mentioned some issues with their 1st generation Chrysler minivan not starting. I volunteered to take a look and deduced that it was likely a dead battery. Amazingly they actually owned a battery charger that was located somewhere in the garage. I opened the garage door and saw the rear end of a car I did not recognize. Being a BMW though it piqued my interest. 

I gave it a good walk around as much as I could and realized it was actually in quite good condition. The interior had no rips or tears and there was no rust to be found. When I went back inside I asked her about the car. She told me that she had purchased it new and had driven it regularly up until she parked it right there in the garage in the 90's (about 1994 I believe). That spot had been its home ever since, garaged and out of the sun in a perfect climate for the better part of 20 years. I was amazed at the age of the vehicle and the condition it survived in. Here in MN, most cars that age that have been sitting for that long are complete basket cases with severe rust issues. In terms of work required, this was a singing dancing unicorn that could grant me 3 wishes in my world. I was getting ahead of myself though. I asked her is she ever thought of getting rid of it and if so to please let me know. She didn't say much and did not seem too interested in selling it. We went on our way back to Vegas for the remainder of our vacation and then eventually back home to MN.

About a year and a half later we made our way out there again. I once again expressed my interest in the car, but this time I had done alot of research about the cars and what they were worth. As it sat I estimated the car was probably a fair value at around $10k and let her know that. I didn't want her to think I wanted to steal it from her (although money was not an issue for her). Again, no real conversation on the topic and we eventually made our way home. 

Then things got interesting. She and her partner owned three house on two adjoining lots. They decided to sell one of the lots with the big house and 2nd guest house out back. The Tii resided in the garage for the big house and they needed it gone. We spoke about it a couple times and I could never get an answer about what they wanted for it. Then they finally said that they just wanted me to come get it.

Me: Ok, great.........but for how much?

Owner: Just come get it, you just pay for the title transfer. 

So after picking my jaw up off the floor and realizing what had just been gifted to us I called my stepdad to organize a road trip out to California. We drove out with his 3/4 ton Dodge diesel and a car trailer. We made it a 4 day trip and came home with the little beauty. 

Before the trip I also found a local trucking company that offered indoor heated storage at a rate of a $1 a day..............score. I didn't have room in the garage at the time so this was the next best thing. It sat there through the winter of 2015/2016 and I finally brought it home last summer. I have been slowly researching and ordering bits and pieces here and there. The work is finally starting though and the hope is that this summer she will be back on the road. Not full blown restored yet, but safe and drivable.

You guys will be hearing from me.  =)