Summer of 1980. Big hair, disco still in vogue, Member's Only jackets and yes, parachute pants. I am three months away from that American rite of passage—obtaining freedom—that's right, my license. I need a car, or at least that is what I tell my parents. I have worked for two years so I have saved money and building houses for the summer has filled my bank account to overflowing like a pirate's treasure chest with gold. I need a car and that $1,200 in bank needs to be spent.
My first car, in concept and theory, is beyond cool. Yes, a red 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback with a 289 cubic inch engine. From a distance what an awesome first car. In reality, at $900, up close and driving, not so much. Horrible handling, little reliability and a thirst for expensive gas at $1.18 a gallon (considering I was making $2.60 an hour, it was expensive). But that sealed my fate, or so I thought. Big, American iron was going to be my car of choice. Owning two late 70's Cougars, a 72 Cutlass, and a 69 Chrysler New Yorker pretty much said 'No 'furrin' junk for me.'
Fast forward to 2010. Realizing that small and moderately powered cars that handled great are a blast to drive. At the same time my oldest got his license so it was time to add a car to the family fleet. Why get a teenager car when my current car would be great for him? The better plan, get me something fun for a change. My options were unlimited. Whatever under $10K could buy was my next car. At the back of my mind the car that kept saying 'buy me, buy me' was the venerable BMW 2002. The few times that I saw them in recent years would cause my brain to frazzle and I couldn't get enough of the little car. My decision had been made. A BMW 2002 was my car of choice.
That began the fanaticism.
It wasn't long before a pristine 1974 2002 in Chamonix was in my garage. My obsession was helped that my first car was so pretty, such great shape, and so reliable. That 40 year old car didn't just sit in my garage, but began to define me not just as a car person, but instead a specific car person. Meeting fellow 02ers, going to meets and soon BMW flags were in my garage, BMW t-shirts in my closet, BMW birthday and Christmas gifts and I became officially obsessed.
As I learned more about the brand, drove BMW's of many different models, learned the history I just became infatuated with the cars and even more with company. Surviving through the 50s and 60s, growing in the 70s and 80s and becoming the car to be seen in since then has made being a BMW lover not too hard to handle. After all, who doesn't want to root for the winning team?
Fanaticism doesn't end with the company or the cars, one must include that BMW truly produces the Ultimate Driving Machine. What does that mean? Most of you are thinking great power, great chassis, great steering and great handling. If that is all that is needed to produce the Ultimate Driving Machine then there are others out there deserving of that moniker. The ultimate driving machine is not so much a thing as it is a feeling. When you drive a BMW there is a sense that the car absorbs you into the journey and you absorb the car into yours. You and the car become one and driving is not something you do but something you experience. To this day I say no one drives a 2002, they experience them. This sentiment runs across the entire marque.
Six years later I now own two BMW 2002's, an M Roadster, a 2007 328i and a first cousin, MINI Cooper Countryman (it too has the Ultimate Driving Machine gene). As I looked in my garage and out onto the driveway I realized:
'I am a BMW fanatic.'
Like a frog that is slowly boiled in a pot of water, becoming a fanatic is not something that happens all at once. It first starts with a glimpse of a BMW, maybe a ride, maybe a weekend in a friend's car to the point where you finally get behind the wheel and then, well, you know what happens.
If I joined a BMW Anonymous meeting and stood up and said 'Hi, I am John, and I am a BMW fanatic.' that would be the end of the meeting. I would then realize I need to drive my BMW and would leave.
Hi, I am John, I am a BMW fanatic and plan to always remain one.—John Graham
If you have some interesting content you'd like to submit for consideration, such as a story, pictures, or video, please e-mail Nate Risch, Roundel Weekly editor, at nrisch@bmwcca.org.
