Bimmerfest 2011 at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, CA – May 14, 2011
By Laura Heng, Photos by Anthony Massie and Brian Nguyen, European Auto Source
Before we even step into the show lets get something straight. In slang terminology, a BMW with four wheels is called a Bimmer and it is pronounced the same way you say “dimmer” like the adjustable light switch in your house. Beamer/Beemer which refers to a BMW with two wheels is pronounced the way you would say “creamer” like the dairy product you would put in coffee or tea. Now that we have that out of the way we can continue. LH
The city of Los Angeles hasn’t been able to attract an NFL team but was able to bring the largest BMW car show down from Santa Barbara for the second year in a row. The mecca of all BMW gatherings, Bimmerfest now takes place on the grassy fields of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena California and now attracts almost 2000 cars.
There is a very broad mix of cars on display with everything from an ALMS M3 GTR, to purple and chromed BMW’s with 500lb stereos in the trunk, to showroom stock vintage cars. Whether being a fully stock or a completely dedicated race car there is no mistaking a BMW with its signature roundel and kidney grille fascia that has been a styling mainstay for the past 80 years.
 |
| You’re looking at the real BMW M3 GTR that had a highly successful career in ALMS. From the looks of the car it looks as if it was recently raced as there were still plenty of rubber marbles and rocks stuck in the underbelly. |
 |
| A vintage BMW Group 5 car that features a turbo 2.0L 4 banger. The car is still kept in pristine condition and whoever the owner is he or she is still updating the car. The interior was sporting very modern features that certainly were not around in the 1970’s. |
 |
| This is the interior of the 1973 3.0 CSL above. I don’t think kevlar was around back then! Take a look at the attention to detail with the plumbing. |
 |
| Smoking is bad for you but this car is pretty sweet. This is a BMW M1 which was a joint effort between BMW and Lamborghini to homologate the car for racing. It was a short lived venture and only 456 vehicles were sold to the public between 1978 and 1981 making it one of the rarest BMWs. |
