Meet Socal's Phantom BMW Collector

The property in the midst of an older industrial estate looks more like a car graveyard than a collection’s home. Behind the wire fence rest a good dozen incognito casualties, protected against weather by yellow covers or gray tarp. Behind the gate, however, a tightly packed array of shining BMWs from the ’60s and ’70s await us in what is half warehouse, half workshop. When he ran out of floor space, 48-year-old Rey (last name withheld on request) started stacking the surplus stock on hoists.

- Georg Kacher

Right now the head count is 52, but it fluctuates as this makeshift enterprise seems to buy and sell cars on a whim. “I once had 14 2002 tii models in various stages from neglect to perfection,” recalls the former football player who made a small fortune as a broker in the dairy business. “Presently, I’m down to three. I also have three carburetor-fed 2002ti models, which I actually prefer to drive. They are that bit more responsive.” He rotates regularly through his treasures, taking each vehicle for a spin or a longer journey about three times a year. Favorites? “As far as modern cars go, the M2. From more recent times, the 3.0 CSL and the E30 M3. Out of the older stuff, I love the 02 series and Neue Klasse from the base 1600 to the up-market 2000tilux.”