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Locating the Perfect Turbo:
Eddy Funahashi
Within a split second after selling my full open 2002 cabrio to a collector in Colorado, I realized that I was without an '02 (a feeling I had not encountered for quite a few decades).
Eddy Funahashi's 2002 cabrio and look, there's Eddy. |
I've owned a number of 02s and I've always concentrated on bringing the cars up to a certain measure of quality. The result has been pleasing to me and to the folks that I've introduced to 2002 ownership. I needed another project and realized that there were some good examples of Turbos for sale in Europe just itching to be brought into the USA. After sharing my needs with fellow BMW aficionado Paul Cain, as well as with a few others, I located my Turbo. Paul called one morning and pointed out a car that he thought might of interest to me. The car has been posted on eBay that morning for about half the day, and already had 6 bids when I contacted the seller regarding the car.
JPEGs were sent, and many expensive phone calls and many emails later, the car was pulled from auction. It looked like I owned a Turbo.
The 2002 turbo in font of its new home. |
Only problem was that the car was sitting across an ocean in a foreign country. I was lucky, as Raymond Lansink was the person offering the car for sale. Ray is a true car nut from the Netherlands that happened upon this car and had offered the service of selling the car for the owner, targeting American buyers. He was very descriptive on the jpgs, adding verbiage to each shot, while also giving his opinion on what flaws he believed the car had. I felt quite comfortable with him, and did not seek any other help or opinions regarding the condition of the car.
Okay, now how do I get the car home? Ray arranged the transport to Rotterdam, and sent me copies of all documents pertaining to the ownership and service records. Still I had to confront the fact that the DOT, DMV, customs, etc. had to be dealt with. I consulted with another fine person, Claus Graeter of Gray Car Consultancy Co. in Tarzana, California. I found Claus thru a local friend that had used his services in bringing in some of his 60-car stable to the USA. With Claus in the States and Ray in the Netherlands as my support team, all activity of importing the car became focused on writing the checks, and waiting for the car.
On the trailer in Port Hueneme. |
About a month later, I traveled to Port Hueneme to pick up my car, and was surprised how easy it was to conduct this part of the process. Claus had pre-arranged all documents, which enabled me to drive into the port (many guard shacks, with an added sense of security since 9-11) with nothing in hand other than having to show my California Driver’s Licence. I'm very satisfied at both the condition of the car and the way in which the chain of events took place.
Would I do it again? You bet! 
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