The Vintage 2016 -- 100 years of BMW (5-21-16)

[Jim_75Sahara]

Just arrived home safely in Kettering at 3 PM today. What an event!  Scott Sturdy and his many assistants have outdone themselves for this anniversary year. The new venue in Hot Springs was super as was the host hotel: The Clarion. The weather was particularly cool and wet, but that certainly did not dampen anyone's spirits or the fun that we had. The BMWCCA Foundation tour on Friday was informative and interesting. The drive back was great fun. I navigated while Andrew Wilson drove 'Vern' (his '73 tii), leading a line of cars back to Fletcher, NC. Some chose instead to take a tour of the BMW factory in Spartanville. The parking lot parties were just as satisfying as those on the lot of the Hawthorne Inn. There were plenty of places to dine nearby and there was also the possibility of heading downtown to check out the numerous restaurants and microbreweries there. The drive to Hot Springs on Saturday morning was gorgeous. As cars filtered into the venue, it was remarkably smooth and hassle-free. There was plenty of space for the BMWs and for folks to set up chairs and portable tents. Scott Sturdy estimated that there were roughly 450 cars on display in Hot Springs. This was the fourth venue for the Vintage event and it was a big success. The drive back to Asheville from Hot Springs was full of tight turns and sharp changes in elevation. Jake's 1600-2 was sorely tested by that drive, but managed just fine. BTW, Jake's car, built in 1966, won Paul Wegweiser's bomber prize for the most loved/patina'd BMW on display. It was a tight race between Jake's car and Jason's car, the Beer Snob. Congrats to both of you!

 

On Thursday, the RGB contingent rendezvous'd at a McDonald's where I-75 intersects I-64 near Lexington, KY. Eventually our caravan included 16 vehicles. Large caravans are fun; until the basic unwieldiness tells us otherwise... Oh well. Many of us were registered at the Clarion, but due to the large number of people registered, some folks were at the Hampton Inn or the Fairfield Inn nearby. The caravan included: Jake Metz, Jason & Karie Gipson, Ben Younce and his pal, William Fulmer, Wil Tinker, Jonathan Tinker, Larry Gray, Reggie and Stephanie Stewart, Eric King and his daughter, Sarah, Mike and Carol Self, Kathy Resler, A.J. Holley, Farshid "Buckeye", Larry and Susan Wilson and myself. We were joined in Asheville by bJ and Mae Barbieri, Todd and Babs Fugate, Nick and Jessica Mavridoglou, John Blake, Zach Matson and honorary RGB member, Andrew Wilson.

 

Feel free to add your comments and photos to this thread.  - -  Let's get this documented while it is fresh in our minds.

 

Lastly a HUGE thank-you to Scott Sturdy and to everyone who contributed toward making this year's Vintage such a memorable event!

 

Edited May 23, 2016 by Jim_75Sahara
typo

[eurotrash]

We had quite the representation this year!!!!  Wow!  32 RGB family members!  Might be a record..

[Jim_75Sahara]

We are proud of our newbies:  Nick and Jessica Mavridoglou, Eric and Sarah King, Farshid, Kathy Resler, Larry Gray and Zach Matson. The 2016 event attracted many first-time attendees. We always need new fans of the marque. Welcome them and roll out the red carpet.

[adawil2002]

Great hanging with everyone, had such fun I almost forgot about looking at the BMWs.