Confessions of a car hoarder.

[Brad B]

Well, at least that`s what my wife calls me. I like to think I am organized. That everything has a purpose. Heck, anal-retentive is a badge I wear with honor.



The old girl got a bath today. That`s what got me thinking.





Case in point. I make binders for every car I own. I keep every document that crosses paths with the car. Receipts, articles, how-to`s, marketing material, etc. I have things organized by year.





My 1973 BMW binder, in fact, has every receipt since the car was brand new. (It seems the previous owner had the same affliction.) I actually find these to be fun reading. Here it looks like the car got some new shocks in 1974. Can you get Koni`s for $27 today? And this was the BMW dealer price!





I also save all sorts of BMW related stuff. Here are some newer marketing materials that BMW uses. They frequently call upon the heritage of the 2002 and I never tire of seeing this stuff. The keychain was sent to me by BMW in the year 2002 to celebrate the 2002. (German humor.) I also have several BMW Club calendars that my car has appeared in. And the plate that the car was imported with.







I also have many actual ads from the early `70`s highlighting the `new` BMW.







I also have the original factory service manuals for the car. Good way to learn a second language, too.







And there is tons of little stuff, parts, bits and doodads that I just can`t throw away. They all get stored somewhere `just in case`.





And the obligatory model. Wish it only came in red.





Are you a `hoarder`, too? Or are we just car folks? You decide...and please tell my wife.

[Dan]

I was starting to hoard actual cars and motorcycles. A few years back I had 8 registered vehicles, just insanity. Down to two cars and one bike now. I do hang on to some stuff but I`ve been really cutting back lately as it just creates a mess (and messes make me unhappy).

[RenuAuto]

I might be a nerd, but this makes me absolutely salivate! LOVE THE organization and supporting memorabilia!

[Dan]

Forgot to say, I absolutely love the 2002.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Brad, I think a lot of us "car guys" have this "15 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound sack" situation going on. I know I certainly do!

[Bill D]

Brad, you just gotta appear on Car Crazy or similar one of these days!

[Ron Ketcham]

I`d just tell her, "It`s either this or a mistress, take your choice!"

Of course,easy for me to say, since I was married three times and since the last one, have practice marital sobrity for 26 years!

Grumpy

[Darkstar752]

I might be a nerd, but this makes me absolutely salivate! LOVE THE organization and supporting memorabilia!

x2 on that! I`m not at the point where I can afford multiple cars, but when I think about what I would do with all of my extra income, I can`t really think about anything but putting it into cars. Brad, just wondering, do you have a detailing binder too? It`s something I`ve been meaning to do for a while.

[911fanatic]

Nice setup Brad. I thought every self respecting car guy did that. 73 Tii. Yummy. Wanted one since I was...nevermind. Lets just say a long time. Mostly because the wife said she`d never ride in it. Perfect!

[Accumulator]

Brad B.- You seem perfectly normal to me. Trust me, you can be a *LOT* more off the deep end than that.



But then, I go by "Accumulator" for a reason



Many of my older receipts have faded to "unreadable", but they`re still in their proper place.

[Bill D]

I just pulled one of my vintage BMW diecasts out of the collection for a sec here, I don`t have a 2002 but I have a Luxus....

And the obligatory model. Wish it only came in red.

Mine`s the same color. Looks like that`s fairly standard issue for diecasts of BMWs from that general era. Would you consider doing a mini DIY paint job on yours with your paint equipment?

[Accumulator]

Brad B.- You have what, five vehicles now? How is that for the two of you? I`m down to that many that we actually drive (I don`t really count the still-mothballed jag as a "vehicle", it`s "an interesting mechanical device" that sits around serving as a time machine) and it seems like a pretty OK quantity for two people, though the S8 hardly ever gets used.

.. Would you consider doing a mini DIY paint job on yours with your paint equipment?

That might be a bit of a job..."glass"-out/trim-off/etc.



And it`d kill the originality factor :think:

[Accumulator]

.. do you have a detailing binder too?

Doesn`t everybody? :chuckle:

[Bill D]

That might be a bit of a job..."glass"-out/trim-off/etc.



And it`d kill the originality factor :think:

No no! I mean painting the model red. Well I guess it would kill the model`s orginality too, but it would match the real car.

[Accumulator]

No no! I mean painting the model red..

Yeah, I was referring to the model That`s why I put "glass" in scare-quotes, figuring it`s really some kind of plastic.