SoCal Vintage BMW meets bring out rare and odd BMW's you don't often get the chance to see out on the road. Catch 5 of our favorites from the recent 2017 SoCal Vintage BMW show, then keep scrolling for a larger gallery at the end.
1. BMW 2002 Touring
Of course, everyone is familiar with the BMW 2002, but much lesser seen is the Touring version of the 2002.
The hatchback version of the iconic E10 chassis, the Touring version was only available from '71-'74. Sharing many of the same body parts forward of the c-pillar, you may mistake it for a basic 2002 if you only see it from the front.
2. BMW Z1
Before the Z3, Z4 and Z8, there was the Z1. You may not have heard of it before, because it was never sold on U.S. shores. Only offered for two years in the early '90s, the Z1 shared many components from the E30.
A vertically sliding door that retracted into the door sill (like a window sliding down into the door), was a unique feature of the Z1.
3. BMW Isetta
You may remember this tiny, front-door opening mini car as Steve Urkel’s car from the '90s sitcom, Family Matters.
The front-door-only Isetta was powered by a rear mounted 298cc single cylinder motor and can be driven on public roads with a motorcycle license.
4. BMW E21 320 Truck
The E21 (320) never got the appreciation that its forefather, the E10 (2002) or its predecessor E30 (3-series) received. E21 specialists, Bavaria Auto Repair took a 320 and gutted everything behind the front seats. What they created was a 320 truck with a usable bed. I might even go as far as saying that it looks better than the standard 320 coupe.
5. Stanceworks E28 BMW M5
Fresh from SEMA, the Stanceworks E28 M5 was center stage at this years SoCal Vintage BMW meet.
Sporting a new Motul livery, the M5 looked like it was driven out of a time capsule from the '80s. The livery was complemented by BBS E55s wrapped in Nitto NT01 tires.