ATLFOCUS.COM: STORY OF PERSEVERANCE
WORDS by: HALSTON PITMAN
Perseverance. Some have it. Some don’t. What happens when you combine perseverace and the love of a single car? You get Blake White… Lover and destroyer of BMW E30s. It has come to the point that friends and family have renamed BMW Blake Might Wreck!
All joking aside Blake can turn a wrench. He can build a car. Can strip a car. Most importantly he can take a damaged car, sell off parts and make a better E30. He has fought failed components, bad weather and hit and runs and finally is back on the road with his 4th E30.
I sold my 1989 325i to Blake years ago. Unfortunately poor weather, large puddle and a ditch put an end to that vehicle.
Oops!
Fast Forward. Let’s try a Bronzit! Road trip and fun times going to Alabama! New vehicle is up and running. Blake spent the time to swap the engine, swap over all the suspension and interior. Back on the road! During this time Blake fully rebuild the factory M20B25 Engine. Top to bottom. 100% fresh. Boy it pulled nicely once it was broken in! The old Bronzit Bomner!
Unfortunately a control arm failed while turning and that side of the car collapsed. What exactly happened is unknown. The car then steered into a ditch. No photos of the damage of this E30 but needless to say a 2nd problem almost had Blake down and out and done. E30 Friends said you get 3 strikes on Small Bumper E30s. Try one more time! So he did!
The Black Car… 3rd Try…
At this point Blake has endured hydroplaning and a broken OEM Control Arm. Rough times for Blake. Just wanted to enjoy an E30. School started back up at Lanier Tech where he is studying/training for Motorsports Work. While driving to get books before school even started a pick up truck understeered into the driver side rear quarter panel at a stop light. And guess what… the driver ran! So now Blake has a 3rd totaled BMW E30. 2 out of the 3 were not even his fault and the 3rd you could argue was not his fault either! This was after new headlights and HID were purchased. Fresh Bilstein Sports were installed. BRAND NEW Front valance was installed. Rough.
At this point the story ends right? Remember we were talking about perseverance? Having been banned from the purchasing of small bumpers a local 88 325iS was found. One of the hybrid cars and one that I love. We went and checked it out. Pretended we were not interested and shortly after Blake made the purchase. 1988 325iS. Big Bumpers. Front and Rear Valances. Same color as mine. So begins swapping everything again. In a single weekend the engine, front and rear suspension, interior, all electrical and accessories were swapped and it is back on the road!
Good luck my friend. Keep it sunny side up and watch out for water, ditches and pick up trucks!
