Jim_75Sahara

More incentive for y'all.....

Yesterday I received a Christmas card from Barney and Tori Toler of Leander, TX. This photo was slipped inside that envelope. I'm at the wheel of this lovely Turkis, somewhere in the Hill Country, with a big smile on my face.... So, anyway, I met Barney a few years ago at MidAmerica 02 Fest. He had just pulled into the motel lot with a beautiful, just-completed '72 Golf 2002 that massively grabbed my attention. After a lengthy first conversation, we've been good friends ever since. Last October, I joined Terry Sayther and his crew of Texas 2002 owners for their Fall drive through the wide open spaces between Austin and San Antonio. I was greeted by Barney at the Austin airport. I'm no Andrew Wilson, I FLEW down there! I stayed overnight at the Toler's home and then we hit the road for Austin and Fredericksburg the next morning. I had arranged to borrow Tori's '74 Turkis 2002 for the long weekend. I had never driven an automatic 2002 before, so besides being my first time in this part of Texas, I'd get to experience a no-shift '02 as well. I had a great time from the moment I touched down to the moment my plane left Austin. Thanks to the Tolers, Terry Sayther, his wife, Debbie and everyone else involved with that gtg. I highly recommend either DRIVING there or if you're like me, FLYING there to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fun of hanging out with some great 02 owners. Andrew drove down to Texas from Maine in 2017, but that's just NUTS... ha!

Rock that GOLF! It probably needs a bit of everything, but it will be fun to get it to where you want it to be. Enjoy it!

Planning to attend this year.

Ed: great find. They're usually beaten to a pulp when I find them. I drove an automatic beater-loaner 535is years ago and it was FUN. I am sure that this one is gonna be fun too. Enjoy it!

It was quite a nice day for a drive. So, I took our young exchange student, Eve from Germany, for her first ride in a 2002. She tried Skyline Chili for the first time on the drive and enjoyed it very much. This evening I made a batch of red beans & rice with cornbread which was likewise very popular with her. We surprised a guy driving a black E28. We honked and waved at each other enthusiastically.

I test-drove one of these a few years ago at a BMWCCA gtg at the dealer. I rode with another guy and we took turns driving it. The other fellow was extremely eager for me to turn it over to him after I'd driven it. Then the way he drove it was downright scary. He must have watched those Fast & Furious movies. A fast car that will roar when pushed hard.

Ed: congrats on the progress that you and Barney are making with that beautiful coupe. Belated condolences to you regarding your father. My dad and his Golf 2002 in the 1970's hooked me on classic BMWs. I did NOT ENJOY working on cars with dad, but I sure as hell loved that 2002 of his. Anyhow, I am most eager to see your 2000CS coupe and Barney's tii at MidAmerica 02 Fest. Happy wrenching!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! Today, I went Christmas shopping with my daughter Veronica; a holiday tradition for us. Since there was no snow, slush or salt on the roads, we took the 2002. As y'all know, it has a large trunk that works very well for stashing holiday purchases. Lunch at Pies and Pints helped to keep us in good cheer. (Belgian ale helps too!) Photo of us at her graduation from BGSU in May of this year.....

Your room will be ready for you when you get to Ohio in April!

I take it all in stride. Sometimes they think it's a Mercedes, sometimes they think it's just like their brother's slammed E30; it doesn't matter to me. It's all fun.

During the annual RGB Kantucky Ridge Run drive/gtg. (at beautiful Sabbathsong Farm)

It's become a Fall tradition, along with a last drive before the salt, snow and slush season commences. I drove to the nearby former DESC complex in Kettering that's now an office park. The daylight was fading fast, so I needed to hustle.

I could not find that E30 318 convertible on CL yesterday.... Is it sold?

I had a super-great time!! I feel so privileged to have flown down from Ohio to join y'all in the Hill Country of Texas. I had never been to Austin or Fredericksburg. I didn't relish the drive to and from Texas, so I was the lucky guy who borrowed Tori Toler's Turkis 2002. I had never driven an automatic 2002 before, nor had I ridden in a 2002 Baur. Both were quite fun for me. Needless to say, the whole adventure was fantastic and so very memorable. Everyone was so kind and considerate to me. So, thanks to the Tolers and thanks to Terry Sayther and Debbie Stuart. It was a pleasure getting to know everyone for the first time or in other cases, getting to know you better!

Belated birthday greetings, Earl! (enclosed is a photo from the recent Buckeye BMWCCA Hocking Hills Driving Tour 2018)

Oh myyyyyy! Don't go anywhere near Select Classics. Find some one who is a true 2002 enthusiast/owner and pick their brains. Do a lot of research before you even think of shopping for one. Buy the best one that you can afford at the time. Purchase one with the least rust and with a good ownership history over the life of the 02. Don't fall for a shiny swine when you can find a good solid survivor or a well restored one.

The 13 inch Yokohama Avid T4 is no longer available. I had a set of them a few years ago.

And that goes for Mr. Gerock as well!

Consider yourself invited, Les! We have special plans for our tenth anniversary edition of the RGB's Fall Drive & GTG in 2019.