Could not believe my eyes

[jmon0261]

Today while working in a small agricultural town here in Northern

California, I see a BMW 700 convertible on a trailer. I go around the block to

make sure that I am not seeing things. When I looked in the shop I saw

several Vintage BMWs in various forms of restoration. Eric the painter body

man, was nice enough to show me around. They are owned by

Tom G. of Novato. I would love to see his collection of finished cars.

[norm]

"hot mess"

Norm

[ash00]

wow...in Chico???

[dubois]

that is almost as rare as a barn find.

[Mike Self]

prewar 335--if so it's the only one in the US besides Terry Sayther's in Austin. It was BMW's largest prewar car, and presaged the postwar Baroque Angels (501/502 series) except it had a flathead (!) straight six.

Very unusual car. The other old open cars looked like prewar 327 or 328s--or just possibly postwar EMWs .

mike

[jmon0261]

I should have taken Notes- I know little about BMWs from earlier than the 50s. The 2nd car (335?) was a parts car for one they recently finished.

There were stories for all the cars.

I guess the 327(?) one with the red wheels is extremely rare and one of a kind.

My pictures do not do the place justice. These cars will be restored and back on the road someday.

They bought this old body shop with a spray booth for cheap. I do not have permission to say where the shop is.

Thanks for the vintage info Mike.

http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/models/vintage/30s.htm

Picture of a 327 I found on the internet

[THE1ST3]

WOW! I need a cigarette after those photos!

[skipsfcr]

That is just neat as hell.

[BarryA]

in Sonoma - he's got a large collection of pre and early post WWII BMW's (most of which he's restored himself) and would be a tremendous resource for those guys as they work on restorations.

If they don't already have a membership, they should also contact the Vintage and Classic BMW CCA. The V&C club is doing a two week tour of northern CA starting with the Monterey Historics - at least half of the cars participating are being shipped in from Europe for the occasion (good reason to attend the Historics this year - all of their cars will be parked in the BMW corral near turn six...........)

[jmon0261]

Yes the main Guy Tom is well connected with the BMW vintage crowd.

It would be great to catch up with those guys in No Cal here and drive with

them for a day. I tried to figure out the route from the website, They talk

about going over the Golden gate on the 19th, but the route is not

publicized. http://www.bmwvccca.com/

It would be surreal to be driving with all of those early BMWs.

I am trying make it to Monterey this weekend.