3rd Annual Euro Classic Car Show - Blo/No

For the last two years I have helped organize a growing car show here in my hometown of Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. Certainly it may not garner some of the amazing cars you might find at a more prestigious event like the Concours d'elegance or even at a larger city like Chicago. Despite its humble beginnings in central Illinois, we always look forward to afternoon as we host the Mid-Illini BMW car club and all other local/regional classic car fans who come ready to see what their city has to bring to the table. We have seen Ferraris, Fiats, Porsche, BMWs, Mercedes, Jags, MGs, etc. even going back to the 30's.

We look forward to continuing the event for years to come, including in a couple of weeks at BMW of Bloomington (IL). On October 17, 2015 we will begin at 11 AM, welcoming all cars and their fans for free to enjoy the gathering, food, and even prizes as the community comes together.

Check out some of last years pics, I am sure you will be impressed. Pics

Current Plans...

I have so much I want to do to my car but time and money prevent me as many other intrepid classic car drivers. I list my plans to raise questions as to what I should do or if my current plans are off center. Tell me what you think. (There is the ability to comment below.)

Exhaust

Currently my car is running open headers after the rust finally ate what was left of my pipes. Following a breakage before the muffler, the entire pipe fell below to be get twisted and require a field amputation to continue on my daily commute. Certainly I should have dealt with my exhaust's impending doom earlier but life has a way of sucking up all your time.

I currently have Ceramic coated headers from Ireland engineering and plan on purchasing a Magnaflow twin tip muffler to be put together at a custom shop but I question my decision as it is as far I have found, rather uncommon. Everyone seems to pop on a Billy Boat or some other exhaust designed for the car while I can't seem to justify $1k for the exhaust of a car running with nearly 200k miles.

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E9-E3-exhaust/m30header.html
Wheels/Tires

My BBS RC090s were supposedly refurbished with nickel plated hardware but Ebay occasionally has a moment of disappointment and sells you something other than it says. My wheels were immaculate when I received them but now I find my supposedly Nickel plated bolts holding the pieces together to be covered in rust.

I want to order new hardware for my wheels and then repolish my lips to have a new set once more. But to bring up the question, where should I source my hardware. The question may have been addressed before on myE28.com but it seemed like a long headache ordering from Germany. Certainly there must be at least one source of quality stainless steel bolts here in the US...

Body Work/Euro Conversion

After sourcing a Euro Bumper set from Australia, a air dam from Croatia, and lastly a set of brackets from California, my conversion was ready to be put on but a lengthy lookover at the body shop exposed rust under the body, especially in the rear. I could put it together but should I? It seems a waste to go through with it on my car when the investment might be better attached to a finer example elsewhere.

The Beginning of a Story...

Greetings to all have been convinced to enter my blog. I must begin by admitting the creation of said blog is merely to fulfill a class project as I am in college. Regardless I intend to produce some content over the semester highlighting my car with its troubles, glories and development. Outside of my car I will highlight various articles, ads, products or really anything minutely related that catches my fancy. I really doubt there are many out there, who share in my odd set of interests in the world. So I welcome those who do and take little shame in seeing others quickly leave. If you want to read about me (which you don't), visit the about page for a short description of some guy named Michael.

Now, after all that introductory garbage I present to you my car.

(I must admit, I feel like I am walking into a gym filled with burly men flexing their 
muscles as I prepare to bench press the bar. I do not gloat in my car but certainly do enjoy my hooning from place to place in what I believe to be the best car in the world, despite all the wonderful issues that come after 197,000 miles.)

For those who do not know, my car is a BMW E28 535is. I have done little to my car to make it stand out in the crowd other than switch the previous owner's wheels for BBS RC090 (Style 5's) and replaced the head unit. It also rolls low and has a Conforti chip and intake to make it feel like it has a bit more balls.

The previous owner on the other hand began what I intend to finish, the Euro conversion. I have the headlights but am waiting to do the bumpers as I decide to fix my car up from a somewhat dilapidated state or find another to switch my collection of parts to. As an observant viewer might notice, my air dam barely lives on from its low perch, held together by zip ties and a prayer.

Other issues or blemishes that add to its patina include straight pipes awaiting an new muffler & headers, rusted rear fenders and a nice peppering of rock chips to season the salad. My description might sound harsh but I enjoy each moment of the nasty sound it creates. I will certainly welcome a finer tuned rumble in the future, though for now I blaze between the incessant line of stop signs on the way to class at ISU (Illinois State University).

I once more must welcome and thank you for reading thus far and look forward to seeing you return to watch me groom the panda as it takes shape, more or less like a fine wine. I don't suppose it will ever reach a Concours d'Elegance but I find that people welcome the sight of vintage German steel barreling down the road to the tune of Nujabes or some other forgotten anime hymn.