Saturday, April 1st was the date of the annual BMP Design BMW and MINI show in Tyler, Texas.  My son (Andrew) and I took part in a mini-caravan of Houston folks.  We joined Chris Ward in his 1969 Sahara 'O2 and Dan and Valerie Baker in their 1976 blue 'O2.  I had hoped to take Happy Face along but I just didn't think she was ready for an across-state trip like this so we took Little Chili (the MINI).

Happy Face didn't make the trip, but she's almost ready!!

Ok, back to the show....There was a nice collection of classic and modern bimmers on display.  But all were outnumbered by the MINI contingent.  There is a case of MINI madness going on.  It kind of reminds me of the Z3 thing I participated in several years ago, but it would appear that the MINI's are a bit better organized.  Well, maybe not, can they pull together 700 cars all at once to travel across country to South Carolina?  I think not, anyway....

The metal on display was inspiring.  I also got some good visuals on 'completed' restorations of 'O2's.  Here are some shots of the action with my son in as a vertical scale.

This was a 1989 Champagne 635csi owned by a very nice retired couple who live in Tyler.  They bought it brand new as a  showroom car.  The car has 70k miles on it.  The back seat has only been sat in once!  This car won the best overall 'classic' car at this event.  A  truly awesome car.

a beautiful engine bay from an M6

Andrew and that primo M6

this has got to be the coolest BMW ever made, how could one argue with perfection??

not sure what that white/orange color combo is all about, but I like it

it really does look like a little smiley face doesn't it?

Andrew in front of a new "Rally" special edition MINI.  Ok, so its cool.

Life is Art

My wife often wonders why I take pictures like this.  She just doesn't understand!

Andrew in front of 'O2 Street