COOP

One of the high points of my automotive life! COOP

Funny, several people have mentioned the possibility of some super wealthy person at The Quail just "having to have" my little car. I really have no desire to sell but of course I have a number that would make me think twice. Suffice to say that this number ensures that the tii will be coming home with me. COOP

I will look for you at Laguna over the weekend Chris. I can't wait for the sights and sounds of vintage racing cars in action. I hear you on the pomp & circumstance thing but I guess I'm just honored that my car was invited. I hear that TQ is a bit over the top but it will be entertaining to rub shoulders with folks who would normally have me cleaning their pools. What I really enjoyed about today's event was the fact that it was really quite low key, despite the high caliber of the cars. I guess that's a function of it being a free show held on public streets. I had an absolute blast! I arrived at 11 and stayed until 5, long enough to hear some insane race motors alighting. What is really magical about Concours on the Avenue is the caliber of cars that you see scattered all over the place on side streets, away from the event, from Gullwing MBs to priceless Ferraris. I would have posted pix of the non/BMW beauty but I was afraid of being scolded by the "Wrong-Forum-FAQ-Reich." I know that I already pushed the envelope with non-02 content! COOP

My tii will be at The Quail on Friday...and they prohibit showing their invitees at any of the week's preceding events. COOP

A few more...

One of the most fantastic events I've ever attended! COOP

Hi Ryan... I see that you already got a ticket but just a question. Were you looking for a ticket to show a car or just to get into the event? I'm assuming that anyone (CCA Member or not) can simply buy a ticket at the event just to walk around and ogle, no? Please advise as I want to make sure I've been giving non-02 buddies the right info! Thanks, COOP

Yeah...it's pretty much the seminal 2002 article of all time. A true classic. COOP

Hi Tom...Sorry about that. I was trying to be playful but not insulting. When I went back, it looked like a little much so I toned it down, hence the edits. All good and right back atcha with the respect. COOP

An appropriate price for the quality of 02. It beat my estimate of $40K...and that sale doesn't include fees. Congrats to Grover and to the new Dad. COOP

Sure is a nice car, that Grover Sahara, and a strong sale. So...Two more "wealthy people battling it out?" ;-) COOP

Hi Tom, You make some really good points, as always (although I did get a chuckle out of your "be like Jay Leno" comment, given that he's worth $350 million and is not constrained by the same concerns that most of us are as we ponder whether or not to take our restored classic for a weekend trip with a 68% rain probability in the forecast!). One important tenet of capitalist economics 101 that you're respectfully missing in your "the-true-market-vs-two-rich-guys-at-an-auction" theory, however, is that ALL precedent sales come to DEFINE the market over time, regardless of their origin or the particulars of an isolated "anomaly" transaction. To put it bluntly, the large-scale market over time couldn't care less about which sale was the result of two bourbon-soaked egomaniacs jousting with meat-swords at a live auction, which one had an amplifying charity component, which one took place via an online auction such as eBay or BaT, which car was transacted at a high-end classic car dealership or which one entailed a private sale between enthusiasts. Precedent sales = "The Market." Period. It's true in real estate and it's true with old cars. Now, this doesn't mean that $125K (Clarion car) or $71K (this Malaga beauty) is by any means the "new norm" of comps. However, it absolutely does mean that these lofty sales numbers will play a strong hand in shaping and lifting the market values for ALL 2002s moving forward (I hate the over-used, "rising tides lift all ships" cliché but it's perfect here) and it doesn't really matter how anyone of us feels about it, whether we lament the gentrification of our beloved and once-accessible hobbyist icon or rejoice in the rising value of our investments (I feel both of those sentiments, even though they're wholly contradictory) the market forges ahead regardless of people's feelings. COOP

Hi Paul, I'll miss seeing you at Brisbane and Novato C&C as well as your impeccably-written and thought provoking musings here on the FAQ. Not only do I always love those occasions of ogling your stunningly beautiful targa (what a great color!) but especially, I'll miss your intellect and warmth here in the Bay Area. I'm truly happy for you and your wife...and for the new adventure that you are beginning. Change can be so magically invigorating and I wish you both happiness and peace. I absolutely adore the San Juan Islands which I covered extensively on a road bike with a close friend, many years ago (Mt. Constitution is an ass-kicker!) Perhaps some day I'll drive up North, toss my '02 on a ferry and impose upon you and your bride for a few days of your company. Best wishes, COOP

You guys are AWESOME and SO on the money! This is what happens when I develop a case of "itchy credit card finger." The panels are going back... COOP

Thanks Ryan...I concur 100%. They're going back. I had high hopes but these are just not going to cut it. The original panels looks sooo much better. BMW is really disappointing me (and yes, I get the counterpoint that I should be grateful that they're providing any support at all). They charge top-top dollar but produce inauthentic, low-quality replacement parts for our cars in most cases, chrome trim being another of countless examples. This is in stark contrast to Mercedes-Benz, whose Classic parts are even pricier but are absolutely spot on (I wish the folks at BMW shared the below philosophy). COOP

My original '72 tii door panels are very, very nice...but they are, well, the originals and hence not perfect. A few days ago, on a whim, I plunked down $650 for some brand new, OEM panels, thanks to Roger's. Here are my observations: Color: The new panels are more chestnut brown while the originals are more orange. Who knows how much of this can be attributed to 40 + years of fading? Texture: The new panels are more matte and porous looking, while the originals are more shiny and slick to the touch. Finish: The New panels have a subtle, "veined" pattern in the vinyl that is clearly apparent (see pic), particularly in the lower section. This effect is totally absent on the original panels. Ribbed pleats: The 8, ribbed "pleats" of the new panels' upper section have a distinctly "puffy" and "quilted" appearance. On originals, the pleats are totally flat. Who knows if the originals were once puffy too and have broken down after 40+ years? I'd certainly welcome anyone's input on this subject, especially from you "originals" out there who knew these cars when they were new. At this point, I'm not convinced that I'm going to keep the panels, given the cost : authenticity ratio. Thanks, COOP

Trust me, Bob, already working on getting them swapped out! No way I could live with that... COOP

This is great! Very helpful...Thanks! COOP

Genuine "Rottbraun" BMW Sisal mats, thanks to the extremely helpful and nice Roger at Roger's tii. Can you say "GROOVY?!" I was was on the fence with this one forever...but now that they're in, WOW! I just love how the red/brown elements tie in to the seats & door panels. These were dealer options back in the day and I am just loving them... COOP

I think you nailed it Russell...It's disappointing because while BMW cheapens up their replacement parts and alters them to non-correct specs, they have simultaneously hit the buying public with a 30-40%, across-the-board price hike per Roger (Roger's tii). I'd be less miffed about this obscene increase if the parts were up to snuff in both quality and correctness...seems like a bit of a double-f***ing to me. I guess the counterpoint to my kvetching would be that we should all be grateful that we can get replacement parts at all... COOP

So I ordered new vent window center caps for my '72 tii as the originals look a little chewed up. All roundie 02s that I've ever owned have had the "chrome" rings in the cap like in the first picture...but the ones that I received are just plain black plastic which doesn't look so nice, see second pic. Are these still considered "correct?!" I wouldn't think so... COOP

Looks like everyone had a great time, would have so loved to have been there. Will absolutely make a future, Sunday gathering (not 8/14 however as that's Monterey Week!). Hope to see more pix from this one and especially the aforementioned drone footage! COOP

Thanks Steve! At the end of the day, just do what works best for you (weekday, location, etc) and those who can make it will have a blast. I'm sure all of the suggestions get annoying after awhile when you're trying to create something positive (hey, how about Fresno?! We could crash their annual flea market!). COOP

Hi Steve... I was thrilled by your announcement of an 02 CC...until I saw that you're doing it on Saturdays instead of Sundays. Unfortunately, I work Saturdays. Oh well, you can't please all the people all the time, right? Thanks for putting this together regardless...have fun everyone! COOP

Thanks! Early Euro bumpers bought from Jaymic in England about 16 years ago...They came with brackets and I just bolted everything up! COOP