If you frequent Slam Sanctuary, you’ll know that we are big BMW lovers and that hopefully means that you are too, because today’s article contains what I can only describe as pure bimmer porn. With hundreds of Volkswagen oriented events happening throughout the year, the BMW-only shows are scarce. With that in mind, the UK’s regional BMW car clubs do congregate annually for one big event, the National Festival, at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon. Being one of the largest BMW gatherings in Europe, I was told it was not to be missed (again!) – with plenty of rare Bavarian metal on display that you just wouldn’t see anywhere else. From factory-fresh concours examples, to the complete opposite, with all styles of modifications on display and everything in between, it truly is a haven for any BMW addict. Being a massive enthusiast myself, I decided it would be the perfect final outing for my E24 635CSI before regrettably putting it up for sale. The venue itself was a perfect setting, with BMW’s parked up around the motor museum, and throughout all the grounds on any accessible patch of grass or tarmac. Well, I’ll let the photographs do the rest…
BMW’s brand new M4 taking prime position outside the motor museum
The E30 lineup was strong
E12 528i on BBS Style5′s
E34 M5 Touring w/RHD conversion
E30 M3
E24 635CSI
E24 M635CSI
E9 3.0 CSL
Nick Sahota’s E34 540i & E30 318i w/M60 V8 conversion
Henry Phull’s E24 635CSI on OZ Futura’s
Neil Patel’s E86 Z4 coupe on Rial’s
Sandeep Gill’s E30 325i ‘vert on Schmidt TH-Line’s
E30 M3 on BBS RS
F30 M3
E3 3.0Si
328 Roadster
E9 3.0 CSL
E10 2002
E28 M5
E30 M3
E30 M3 on BBS RS
Kash Virdee’s E36 on Hartge splits
Sumil Pancholi’s E39 530i on Air Lift suspension & Hartge splits
Edward Johnston’s E36 Touring w/S50 M3 conversion & Air Lift suspension
E34 Alpina B10 BiTurbo (535i)
Dips Amin’s ‘Ruby Red’ E46 M3 ‘vert on Air Lift suspension
Sam Le Fevre’s RHD-converted E30 M3 w/supercharged S54 & BBS LM’s
Bhups Gill’s E30 coupe w/M52 conversion & BBS Style5′s
F82 M4 on HRE P101’s
Phil Robinson’s E60 M5 on Rennen R10 X-treme concave wheels
Nicholas Pritchard’s custom built E91 M3 Touring on KW V3’s & 20″ Breyton Race GTSR-M wheels
Tej Bajwa’s E30 M3 & Rash Bajwa’s E90 M3
E46 M3
Grant Ross’ track spec BMW E46 M3 on Apex ARC-8 wheels
Jags Bath’s ‘Atlantis Blue’ E93 M3 convertible
F32 Alpina B4 & E39 Alpina B10
E36 M3
E46 M3 track car
E46 M3 track car
Evolve Automotive F82 M4
Sutherland Cars’ F82 M4 on Savini BM10 wheels
Thorney Motorsport’s F82 M4
ING Sport’s Z4 GT3
I8
E34 M5 Touring
E28 Alpina B9
E12 535i
Matt Clifford’s E31 840ci on Air Lift suspension & Rotiform LHR’s
E31 840ci
E23 735i (Alpina B10)
E9 CSL
Marsel Theodhori’s E28 M535i w/turbocharged M106
Tom Wrigley’s E30 325i cabriolet on Air Lift suspension
Ross Bradley’s E30 coupe w/6l twin turbo Chevrolet engine & Hartge splits
What a variation of BMW’s, right? I can’t believe that I’d never attended the BMW Festival before, but I won’t be missing it again. This is definitely a must for any die hard BMW fan or even for someone that’s mildly interested in them or thinking of buying a BMW. All sorts of styling can be found here and it’s also a great opportunity to find inspiration for whatever you are building or planning yourself. Plus, entry to the stunning Heritage Motor Centre museum is an added bonus and well worth checking out. My only criticism of the show organisation would have to be the catering… Two hot food outlets to serve the entire show (which was huge)… Queuing for up to an hour for food is not what we want. Otherwise, this is up there with my top shows.