Originating Dealership Info - CA

bmwmadman

bmwmadman

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I have a California car that originally came by way of BMW importer Hoffman Motors Corp.. Does anyone know how to find out who the original dealership was that actual sold the car? I was told it came out of San Fran, but is there a way to verify this? Is there a large dealership that handled the sale of most coupes back in the day. Thanks -trying to piece together the history of my beloved coupe..
 
We are all out of luck, the information was never kept after Hoffman gave up the distributor rights and BMWNA took over. Those who have the original window stickers are the only ones with proof. As we all know, the BMW Archive says all cars went to Hoffman in New York which is not the case. They went to Houston, Los Angeles, Baltimore and many other ports before being delivered to the dealers by Hoffman. Murray has stories about the Port of LA in this regard.

Coming to the San Diego Clean Car Contest on the 23rd? A few of us are driving down.
 
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bmwmadman said:
I have a California car that originally came by way of BMW importer Hoffman Motors Corp.. Does anyone know how to find out who the original dealership was that actual sold the car? I was told it came out of San Fran, but is there a way to verify this? Is there a large dealership that handled the sale of most coupes back in the day. Thanks -trying to piece together the history of my beloved coupe..
Click to expand...

IIRC, Nielo BMW (Sacramento, CA) was an original dealer (or took over) back in the days; they may be able to help.
http://bmw.niello.com/

Jon
 
might also consider popping into the SF BMW dealer. I believe its been a family business from the 60's and have some old pics of the dealership from over the years.

They have pics on the wall of an old showroom with some 1600s/2002s in it. So I'd assume they were 'present when the coupes arrived.

HTH
-shanon
 
Especially if you speak to the sales manager or someone who has been there for years. I have thought of doing this myself but even the dealer's sales people don't know what an e9 is!

In Southern California many of the original dealers are long gone or have morphed into the new BMW Centers. I will start a thread on dealers.
 
thanks guys
This gives me some leads to work on.. I think the DMV might be able to help? They verified once I bought my car and registered it that it had history in CA... I wonder what they know and are willing to share.

Chris
I might go to clean car contest. The last time I went was when I had my 2002. I got 3rd that yr.

Gary
 
Gary,

DMV will provide nothing, nada, zippo. Yes, their data can confirm how long it has been registered in CA but even that doesn't go back very far and they will not divulge prior owners and such due to privacy issues. Hope to see you on the 23rd.
 
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