FROM BAVARIA WITH LOVE

Entrenched in all things BMW, Colin van Son opens his garage doors, revealing a collection of cars with a strong focus on the most famously Bavarian carmaker

- Wilhelm Lutjeharms

There is nearly a different BMW for every day of the week here, from two-door coupés to four-door sedans. As Colin van Son pulled out his collection of BMWs, a few remained behind in the garage, as they are currently undergoing full restorations. What is a balanced collection without a project or two? These projects include two sought-after BMWs - the South African-only 1986 745i and a rare 1988 E28 M5 - as well as a 1973 3,0-litre CS coupé. His collection spans a beautiful and exciting era.

It would be an understatement to say Colin is a BMW enthusiast. His passion runs deep and he has travelled to Munich to visit the BMW museum and explore the firm's hometown. Although his focus is on BMWs, he is a true car enthusiast and there are other brands in his collection with stories of their own.

Apart from his office job, his collection keeps him busy. There are the restorations, general maintenance and the time, which classics demand, and he has individualised several with reversible additions. For example, a short shifter kit has been fitted on some manual-equipped cars to add to driving enjoyment. Ask him about his history and love of cars and he can retrace the path.

"My love for vehicles I got from my father and uncles. Long before I could read, I was able to name all the brands I spotted along the road. I simply recognised their shapes and badges.

"My dad used to buy CAR magazine, and I would have to wait until he had read it cover to cover before I could have my time with the magazine.

"My one uncle was the first person in the family to purchase a BMW, it was a 1969 2002. It arrived in Durban harbour and he and my father flew down and drove it back to Johannesburg."