Farewell

C

corsachili

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After tomorrow morning there will be no E9 in my garage for the first time in over 14 years. With 30 years of classic car ownership the BMW 3.0 CS and CSL that I have owned have undoubtedly been the finest, and most usable vintage machines I've ever had the pleasure of owning. I will miss them, as well as the good people connected with them. It's been a great ride, one I thoroughly enjoyed, and one I will miss. I'm on to new adventures with the Alfa, one which will no doubt bring new friendships and experiences.

I decided a while back that I care more about the process of bringing old cars back to life than the specific marques themselves. I have realized that I have more in common with someone who restores a 1965 Mustang themselves than someone who has someone else restore a 1973 BMW CSL. When the words "my guy" are spoken, I realize immediately that I have very little in common with the person that spoke them. And so it really doesn't matter what you drive or restore as far as I'm concerned. The love of old cars, and keeping them on the road is all that really matters.

One of my favorite things about restoring vintage machinery is the people you meet along the way, people that have a common love and respect for the cars, and the objective of getting them back on the road. I'll miss interacting with Carl Nelson, Paul Cain, Tom Rakestraw, Chris Macha, Ben Miller, Gerrit Blankman, Terry Conners, and many more of the colorful group that comprise the E9 community. Those who are real friends will remain so, regardless of whether or not I own an E9

In a perfect world I'd have unlimited space and funds for the CSL, because I really do believe that it's one of the most usable classics available today, and it's also damn pretty.

For those that have questioned the value of these cars, or my car in particular, I will only say that several potential buyers approached me after the auction, and I ended up closing a deal with someone who outbid another, resulting in a final sale price of more than my reserve at auction. Haters will hate, but the collective belief that these car are special, has been confirmed.

Between my wife's 135i and my M635CSI we still have Roundel decorated cars in the paddock, and that's something that I hope will not change.

Best Regards,
TJ
 
corsachili said:
I'm on to new adventures with the Alfa, one which will no doubt bring new friendships and experiences.
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My Alfa Giulietta was my first introductions to the ravages of rust. Maybe you will find some familiar experiences the Alpha.

corsachili said:
One of my favorite things about restoring vintage machinery is the people you meet along the way, people that have a common love and respect for the cars, and the objective of getting them back on the road.
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I also restore antique computers and stationary steam engines. The have the same interaction with computer and steam experts and enthusiasts as with the CS experts and enthusiasts .
 
All the best TJ,

Hopefully you find another csl someday to restore and we will see you back here.

Regards,

Rohan
 
If you can post some photos of the Alfa project in OT, that would be great. Best of Luck.
 
m_thompson said:
My Alfa Giulietta was my first introductions to the ravages of rust. Maybe you will find some familiar experiences the Alpha.


The Alfa I'm restoring is a Touring bodied 1900C SS, with an aluminum body over tubular steel frame. There is virtually zero rust on the car. The other Alfa Romeo project, the Giulia Sprint Veloce, does have some rust, but it's nothing like the rust I've seen on many E9s.

Regards,
TJ
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Terrific news that your car sold above your reserve, TJ, I am not surprised, frankly, as it appears to be in great shape and we have heard nothing but good things about its condition over the years. I am sure you were sorry to see it go.

I am not sure that your particular sale really confirms anything, that might be a bit heady, but I think the collective thought, here on this board anyway, is that these cars are special, at least to us, and that they are undervalued compared to others of its generation but then that's a very biased opinion. As long as future coupe sales continue to increase and more and more enthusiasts become familiar with coupes (this is probably more important) increasing demand, we can hope that their values will continue to rise. Wouldn't bank my retirement on it though.

But then, I've got "a guy" so what do I know.
 
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Congratulations! Me and my guy wish you good luck on your Alfa adventures.
 
My Guy, usually farts when he tightens a bolt, and then says.. their you go !
Congrats and Good luck on your new project.
 
Congratulations tj, your buyer got a great car at a fair price. Hate to see you go, but I'm sure we'll see you in the future at Legends and Laguna Seca.

Chris
 
That "my guy" who you refer to was that special person who got me in interested, at a very young age, for the appreciation of vintage motor vehicles when my father would frequent his shop with his 1966 Mercedes 220se coupe.

Those "my guys" are an invaluable resource in order to keep many vintage vehicles, we all admire, on the road. Some of us do not have the free time, resources and/or space to turn a wrench, as much as we would love to, but I think they are necessary to help us share in a passion to keep these beautiful/scarce cars maintained for future admirers to appreciate.

Congrats on the sale of the CSL and keep us posted with the progress of your Alfa project. It looks like it's in good hand with "that guy" who is performing the body restoration.
 
Farewell and congrats TJ.

When ya finish up the Alfa, bring it up North for some high quality and very empty tarmac.

We could use a little bit of Italy at our next tour.

;-)
 
Very sorry to see you go, but glad you got a fair price for a fantastic car. The first Cow Poke Coupe with the zebra wood was one of the examples that got me into this hobby, and your do-it-yourself approach provided this forum with invaluable information that is becoming more rare each year. I mean, what I now know about voltage regulators could fill a book! (j/k)

-D
 
Michael,

Pardon me if I offended you with my comment about "my guy", but I really don't put anyone that is on this board in to that category. What I meant was the guy who doesn't even know the basic mechanical components of his car, or who brags about upgrades that he can't even explain. I once had a guy tell me in glowing detail about a car he was having built, and how it had a "side oiler" diff. The more I learn the more I realize how little I know, and not being familiar with what a "side oiler" diff was, I asked him. He stammered that he didn't really know, and but that it was apparently, the thing to have. This was a muscle car mind you, but the analogy applies.

No doubt we would all be unable to restore and enjoy vintage machinery without the support and knowledge of the cottage industry built around each and every model, and there's no doubt that they are an invaluable resource to us all.

I never implied that my cars are built 100% by me. I'm quite happy to acknowledge that I don't know how to lay on show quality paint, or, regarding your final comment, how to fabricate and weld aluminum body panels.

Apologies again for using words which apparently offended some members here, but again, my feeling is that if you're an engaged participant here, wanting to learn as much about E9s as possible, that you don't fall in to that category, even if you don't do all of your own work.

Sincerely,
TJ


michael said:
That "my guy" who you refer to was that special person who got me in interested, at a very young age, for the appreciation of vintage motor vehicles when my father would frequent his shop with his 1966 Mercedes 220se coupe.

Those "my guys" are an invaluable resource in order to keep many vintage vehicles, we all admire, on the road. Some of us do not have the free time, resources and/or space to turn a wrench, as much as we would love to, but I think they are necessary to help us share in a passion to keep these beautiful/scarce cars maintained for future admirers to appreciate.

Congrats on the sale of the CSL and keep us posted with the progress of your Alfa project. It looks like it's in good hand with "that guy" who is performing the body restoration.
Click to expand...
 
TJ,

It's been a great experience getting to know you through our common interest. I agree with your goals of saving classic cars and the challenge of hands on repair. Enjoying the people you meet along the way is the greatest reward.

Please look us up if you are in SoCal and need a CSL fix. Congrats on your sale.
 
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