Is mye28.com a great community or what?
Time of my life!
Not only do I have the joy of restoring an e28 with my son, I get another chance to restore an 88’ M5 with Pavel and the Texas gang… but wait, wait… 3x a charm. I get to do it AGAIN; restore another BMW, albeit an e23 B9 with Roy. All three projects have allowed me to meet some of the most interesting, the most kind and some of the best folks you could ever ask as friends.
But Roy has left out part of the story.
It begins a several years ago when Roy is contemplating buying an e23 in Tulsa. We make contact and I drive up to Tulsa. I look at the Seven, take 100+ photos and forward him a four page report. Pluses all around, but a salvage title. Deal falls thru. Year & half later, Ben German texts me a Criagslist link to a e23 B9 for sale in Maine. I forward to Roy. “Hey Roy, here is an interesting e23 near you.” A polite thanks from Roy and not a second thought by me. Roy calls with “I think its the real deal.” Couple more exchanged calls and he pops the question “want to partner on a resto?” Mind you I live in WY now, I’m on the couch next to the wife, on SPEAKER phone!
I’ve just sold off all but two BMWs with the move. I peek over at my wife who says, “Go ahead, I know you want to do it.” Here we go again LOL.
So begins a 2 year journey from JAC to BOS and back. Lots of flights, lots of juggled schedules. And this journey wasn’t all about the B9. It’s also about a group of enthusiasts.
Jim (Motronic) putting me up at his home when I arrive late, or letting me drive his 330i to Roy’s house. Its Aaron (Ahab) coordinating his biz trips in Boston to educate us further on the fine points of the M30 and “the horror” of turning his wrenches MULTIPLE times on a BIG BMW with wood in it. Its Jamie (Chimi-Changa) hosting me and taking my Cayenne off lease at his dealership.
Pavel flying in for HVAC rebuild and Serbian food. Fikret & Mike driving up for “Weekends at Roy’s”. MicahO touring over from NY for glass duty and wrenching (and now temporary storage). HitMan-X, Greg e34 & Vance sending NLA parts from their hordes. Two years of beers, cars, Red Sox, Celts, Pats, pool, camaraderie and Alleve.
Lots of surprises and unknown benefits. I can drive from BOS to Roy’s blindfolded. LOL. Learned about NE’s craft beer. The chow’dah… oh the chow’dah. Boston rush hour! The deer at the golf club… LIMDIS. Jim’s M5 parts stash. Roy’s hot dog stand lunch stop on the way to Shrewsbury… Coneys topped with crushed Cool Ranch Doritos.
Becoming an “apprentice” level detailer under Roy’s tutorage. 51 nights in bed more comfortable than mine! Evenings hanging out with Roy and Mary watching the Sox or learning about his days with Digital.
And then there is Mary, Roy’s bride. Wow, what a cook and hostess. Her lemon cookies are to die for. I’d gain 5 lbs after each trip…EASY! Think of all the times a group a guys would descended upon her home; hungry & dirty from the Autobahn. She is an angel.
An amazing woman… Roy is spoiled. I got spoiled. I’ll miss my chats with Mary around the kitchen and scarfing desserts. But I wont miss the the rides with her in the 2000. She scare shit out of me first time. No, she is a superb driver… I was just a wuss.
I gotta be honest… I wish Roy’s house didn’t sell and this adventure could go on for another year. All things have an end point though. I’ll miss Boston, the Autobahn, Mary’s smile, generosity and cooking, all the NE guys, and all the times with Roy. Yeah, I’m waxing and getting sentimental, but it was a incredible two years.
Well at the end of this we have an Alpina B9, one of seven; sharked nosed, bootied butt and sexy.
In reality its small potatoes compared to the friendships forged. I found a lot of great friends deconstructing and putting this car back together. Thanks to all who lent a hand and made life easy traveling to and fro. You know who you are and I’m grateful.
Never hesitate to call on me. And finally, a special thanks to Roy. If he had not asked… I would not have had “the time of my life”. Do you have one more left in ya my friend?