BMW Ultimate Drives
Third time lucky, then?
Things did work out at the third time of asking, but not without stress. A traditional British strike and Colorado in December snow-time were formidable obstacles, successfully surmounted. Thanks to Denver’s Schomp BMW, Highlands Ranch, Denver — and Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Janet Kiyoto, we enjoyed two nights to celebrate Coterie's debut in the BMW book world.

Got lucky with a sunny Friday launch day and starry evening. Schomp BMW had huge period pictures in their main showroom to set off five classics that owners gallantly shipped into the sparkling showrooms between snow days.

Rick Meinig’s 327/28 convertible was the prewar eldest, with the Young family turning out Bill’s M1 and the pretty Glas-BMW 1600 GT.

Events conspired against our American launch party for the new Coterie-Walton title, BMW: Ultimate Drives, several times. First, there was no bulk book supply. Then predicted availability coincided with Thanksgiving, a bigger deal than Christmas to many Americans. That was two dates down…

Bryan Lancelot’s concours 2002 turbo and Arthur Porter’s CSL racing recreation also wowed guests.


Prominent BMW names attended, including the presidents of BMW CCA, Bruce Hazard, and Herr Vintage & Classic Car Club’s Goetz Pfafflin. BMW technical guru and specialist preparation legend Carl Nelson with equally fastidious restoration ace Art Krill also flew in.

Commercially, Schomp sold their boutique edition of our book to more than 50 per cent of attendees. I was pleased that our signing area was busy; the loneliness of the long distance signing session is a dread factor amongst authors.

I also owe thanks to Heathrow officials and BA for getting their act together and running normal outward bound schedules. Our only delay was a passenger not following her luggage on board...

Walton commented, “That launch was just one of the most rewarding evenings in my life. So many people, so little time. I was bowled over when Carl Nelson appeared from California…And then, Art Krill flew in, too. Magic.

Sincere thanks to the owners who brought their cars through windows in the weather, and to Schomp BMW for such a fine venue. Looking at four inches of snow on the morning after, Rick Meinig, Bryan Lancelot, Arthur Porter and the Youngs made good choices in taking their display cars away straight after the function!

The Rocky Mountain Chapter turned out more than 60 of their members on a bitterly cold Saturday evening at the Denver Renaissance hotel. They attended their annual gathering and a generously open house for our Ultimate Drives book to be be featured and retailed.

A very social evening saw steady sales and signings with plenty of laughter as Fred Iacino compered their completely Mad Hatter Dirty Grab revolving present exchange.

"Now, the marketing graft begins while author taps on with Volume 2. He is working though road and race M3s currently, having completed 6 Series with appropriate personal owner bias.

Fantastic reviews for volume 1 are coming in already....."The best BMW release for a number of years." said BMW Car Club’s Straight Six magazine in the UK.

Keep ‘em coming say the publisher and author!"