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+--- Thread: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time (/showthread.php?tid=9573)
BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - WRXtranceformed - 08-11-2011
Thought you bimmer nuts might enjoy this:
![[Image: Citation+Motors+Downtown+BMW+06.jpg]](http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/405997-1/Citation+Motors+Downtown+BMW+06.jpg)
In the wealthy suburb of Oakville, Ontario, just outside Toronto, there sits an automotive gem unlike any other: a BMW dealership frozen in time.
The exact details of how this came to be arenÔÇÖt clear, but according to pieced-together details on the MaxBimmer forum, the owner (allegedly named Helmut) had his license to sell BMWs revoked in 1988. Since then, the dealership has sat, although not entirely abandoned. Early posts indicate several old 3 Series models were once on display, but they have reportedly been sold over the years.
In fact, the owner appears to check in on his eerie time capsule quite often, driving an equally mysterious black E28 (1981-88) BMW 5 Series. And while the dealership, ÔÇ£Citation MotorsÔÇØ, is no longer an official BMW store, the cars are for sale. But according to those who have had dealings with the eccentric owner, heÔÇÖs in no hurry to sell, with the the near-new 635csi in the showroom window apparently listed for $75,000.
Peek through the glass and thereÔÇÖs more to be seen, like a silver E28 5 Series, not to mention the ÔÇ£periodÔÇØ dealership design, a poster of the M1 and even a beer stein in a display case. But thatÔÇÖs not all, around back, in the service bays, sit two more 635csi models, a 733i dating from between 1977-84 and a what is either an E21 or a 2002.
A lot of unanswered questions remain about Citation Motors, although perhaps thatÔÇÖs for the best. After all, the mystery behind this abandoned BMW dealership is perhaps just as enticing as the window to the past it provides.
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Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - CaptainHenreh - 08-11-2011
I thought Channing lived in Roanoke?
Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - .RJ - 08-11-2011
A 635csi is way too nice for channing.
Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - Jake - 08-11-2011
I love these stories. Think there was one a while back with an old Chrysler/Dodge dealer... It would be really neat to see everything in person, all time-capsule style.
And then take the keys off the wall for that 635csi and drive it home to Fairfax.
Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - BLINGMW - 08-11-2011
cool!
Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - Jake - 08-11-2011
Just read through the thread on MaxBimmer (linky here) and this post at the end of the thread sums it up:
Quote:I got a story to tell...
I've SPOKEN to this "grumpy/loopy" man that owns the place & the 6.
I managed to get his phone number, and although I never got him to answer when I called... he returned my missed calls (via call display) on 2 seperate occasions. I missed the first call, but managed to answer the second. This was in March-April of 2004.
I was shocked to see him call Me, and so I wasn't entirely prepared with a lot of questions. My overall perception of this guy was that he was hard to deal with, and was in NO NEED of selling this car.
If I recall correctly, he said it was an '86 BMW 635CSi, with an automatic transmission. It was all original with a painted grill and a rear spoiler (dealer options). The original mileage on it is just over 6000!! I asked a couple of other questions like "Whats the story with the car?" to which he barked back "there is no story".
--- I'm sorry, but if You have an abandoned dealership with circa-80's decor and pristine collector vehicles, without EVER having anybody around... there's a story. I wasn't looking for a confession of any sort, just a brief, generic explanation as to why these cars have been sitting idle for a decade or 2. ---
Anyways, I managed to squeeze a price out of him for the 635 CSi....... wait for it ...... $75,000 !!!! My heart sank!
I love these cars, but come on, SERIOUSLY?!? This mysterious white ghost will have to go to another admirer as I'm in no fiscal, or mental state to justify that price tag. Might I mention that was practically 6-yrs ago today.
The kicker, EVERYBODY whose EVER driven these timeless sharks KNOWS that the automatic pales in comparison to the manual when it comes to enjoying the Ultimate Driving Machine.
Re: BMW Dealership Frozen in Time - SlimKlim - 08-11-2011
I want one of those E28s so bad its physically uncomfortable.