This past Saturday was one of those mornings that felt like I was living in the past. It was bursting at the seams with nostalgia, especially for fans of automotive classics. Where else could you experience multiple examples of BMW’s rare, 1970s classic coupe (specifically the 3.0 CSI model), or two pristine 1967 Corvette Sting Rays parked side by side, in both coupe and convertible variants. And where else could you discover a rare example of Porsches 964 Turbo (in this case a stunning example of the limited production model / one year only variant; the 1993-94 3.6 liter Turbo).

When it comes to BMW’s, one of my favorite models is the E9 series, 3.0 CSI produced from 1971 through 1975. I remember becoming aware of this particular model back in 1972; a classmate in high school was driven to school one day by his dad, who just happened to own a red with black interior, 1972 CS. Seeing that car in person for the first time made a huge aesthetic impact on me. I was immediately impressed by its proportions, details and stance. And to this day, every time I see one I’m taken back to my initial encounter back in 1972.

So on this very morning, imagine my surprise when I encountered not one but three examples of the E9 BMW 3.0 (two in the CS form and one CSI model).

And as noted by the rear badging and license plate, this particular car has undergone an owner upgrade to its motor in the form of a displacement increase; a bump up from the original stock 3.0 to 3.8 liters…

while its neighbor retained its stock 3.0 liter CS motor.

The third coupe (also a CS 3.0) ironically was parked just across the aisle from the first two, dressed in black.

The classic, purpose-built 3.0 CS coupe interior, complete with tan leather interior, wooden trim and wood rimmed Nardi steering wheel, as seen above.

Over at the featured lot I experienced another example of living in the past. In this case, two cars fresh from 1967; a pair of 427 Corvette Sting Rays parked side by side. The coupe in Marlboro Maroon with a black stinger hood, and the roadster in Tuxedo Black with a white stinger hood.

The beautifully restored Tuxedo Black, 1967 427 Corvette Sting Ray roadster.

A showroom fresh interior (below).

The spotless, period correct 1967 Corvette wheels, wrapped in a set of red striped tires (above).

Upon my return to Porsche row, I found this beautiful Silver Porsche 964 Turbo parked all alone. Upon closer inspection, I realized this car was far from the stock turbo model. The Speedline wheels and the badge residing on the rear deck lid confirmed that this was in fact one of the limited production, 3.6 liter models, and was fit with a competition rear wing sourced from Porsche’s 3.8 964 RS model.

The custom-built, 3 piece modular wheels from Speedline unique to the 3.6 Turbo; sized 8J x !8  up front, and 10J X 18 out back.

What brings me back to this event week after week is the ability to reconnect with automotive memories forged in the past, by simply seeing a particular make or model of car. And in talking with the other participants, this seems to be a common thread that we all share; a brief moment for living in the past.

(All photos by the author)