tires and wheels Franz Fechner Close Ratio 5 Speed... HUH?

[Armond]

saw this add on CL's F/S section today. Who is Franz Fechner?

Fun car to drive. Many extras.

Franz Fechner Close Ratio 5 Speed and 320i rear end.

Enki Wheels and Yokohamas

Recaross need to be re-done.

Newer chrone.

Fairly straight with a few dings.

Needs paint and other attention.

Many extra parts.

[inkatouring]

Back in the day he and Dave Cruise were they guys to use. If you were lucky, Dave built your motor and Franz rebuilt your tranny. Both now deceased.

[DavidLMM]

From an old FAQ post (just Googled "Franz Fechner+BMW")

...and the immortal Franz Fechner (RIP) (BMW and Porsche trans builder in the East SF Bay Area)...

Sounds like the Jim Blanton of California.

David in Nashville

[tjones02]

From an old FAQ post (just Googled "Franz Fechner+BMW")

...and the immortal Franz Fechner (RIP) (BMW and Porsche trans builder in the East SF Bay Area)...

Sounds like the Jim Blanton of California.

David in Nashville

Yes, yes he was. I grew up knowing Franz as my Dad was a good friend of his.

[SteveJ]

A great guy, a damn good driver, and a helluva tranny rebuilder.

If you attend the CCA Golden Gate Chapter autocrosses and make it to the Top Driver Shootout at the end, the ultimate prize is getting your name on the Franz Fechner Cup. There is an engraved plaque on it that says a lot about Franz.

My best memory of Franz is when he was running av gas in his 2000Cs at one of the autocrosses. I'll never forget that coupe and that smell.

Thanks for bringing up an old friend.

[tjones02]

A great guy, a damn good driver, and a helluva tranny rebuilder.

If you attend the CCA Golden Gate Chapter autocrosses and make it to the Top Driver Shootout at the end, the ultimate prize is getting your name on the Franz Fechner Cup. There is an engraved plaque on it that says a lot about Franz.

My best memory of Franz is when he was running av gas in his 2000Cs at one of the autocrosses. I'll never forget that coupe and that smell.

Thanks for bringing up an old friend.

Yeah, good times, great memories... Back in those mid eighties there used to be a kid of some CCA members that rode his Schwinn Sting-Ray around the autoX track during the lunch breaks. Wonder what he's doing these days. Probably day dreaming about winning that Fechner Cup while working on BMWs for a living. wink wink.

On a few of the rallies my Parents, Franz and wife Pat would trade us kids in the cars. I loved playing with the electric rear windows in the back of that Manila 2000CS.

See the book Bavaria's Driving Machines for a few pictures of Franz' Manila 2000CS. Take a look at the Panasports and the Franz F license plate. Mmmmm Fulda Y2000's. Good times.

My Dad and I bumped into Franz' brother Boyd at the Monterey Historics last year. We chatted and hung out for a while. he still paints and restores BMWs in San Jose.

[cj]

Back in '86, BMWCCA did auto-x at the Alameda Co. Fairgrounds. It was my first auto-x and my car had to go thru inspection. I did'nt have a battery hold down 'cause the nut rusted thru. Franz looked at it, wraped a piece of wire around it and let me go have fun.

Truly nice guy.

Cris

[SteveJ]

there used to be a kid of some CCA members that rode his Schwinn Sting-Ray around the autoX track during the lunch breaks.

Oh man!

I DO remember that annoying kid that thought he knew everything about BMWs.

(wink back at ya!)

[DFechner]

Frank Fechner is my dad. I decided to google him to find a copy of a book his BMW was in. Thank you for the kind words. I miss him every day. 

[tjones02]

1 hour ago, DFechner said:

Frank Fechner is my dad. I decided to google him to find a copy of a book his BMW was in. Thank you for the kind words. I miss him every day. 

Franz was a good man. My dad Rich and I often think of and miss him. It’s been a long, long time Briand @DFechner. Do you still do any art, or, when was the last time you did any calligraphy.

Edited August 3, 2020 by tjones02

[DFechner]

This is his daughter. Briand still does art as far as I know. My email is diamonddiaz713@gmail.com 

 

I lost most of my dads things in a flood many years ago. Thank you for the pictures. My son is curious about his Grandfather. I hope you and your family are well. I remember you guys. 

[tjones02]

Pardon my mistake Janette! You would love this photo I took then. Ignore the white car... That’s my dad talking with Franz, and of course you in the seat. I might also have photos from Colorado in ‘83.

 

Remember when us kids would switch witch back seats we rode in on some of the club drives?

 

eBay is a good source for the book.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322077168349

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by tjones02

[tjones02]

[DFechner]

Omgosh!!! That’s a throw back. I used to have a ton of Dad’s stuff. I remember your mom dragging me from the pool when he flipped it at Laguna Race Track. I’d never heard him curse like that before. Him being him he rebuilt it again. I want to get that car back. Boyd got it. There is no telling where it’s at now. Boyd passed away a few years back. I do remember swapping cars. LOL. Briand and I fought like cats and dogs in our car. Gave my mom and dad a break from our drama. LOL Good memories. Things definitely changed after he passed. ?Thank you very much for the pics. 

[tjones02]

I remember the white with blue corduroy that replaced the rollover. That’s the one Boyd had. I have no idea who got Boyd’s stuff after he passed.

 

My dad still has two transmissions Franz built that he hasn’t used yet. I plan to finally get one in their Tii by next year.

Edited August 4, 2020 by tjones02