The Fourth Flight

What if there were a vintage war plane show and you could not only bring your car, but park your car among the vintage planes? And what if, while you were parked, commercial and private plane and helicopter flights were arriving and departing close enough that they affected conversations? Maybe toss in a coffee and food truck? Perhaps a viewing area for the 24 Hours of LeMans? Okay, as you might have guessed, it happened, and to be fair, yes, it was not so much a vintage plane show…but an overall awesome show.

Ryan Castro of Motorsport Hardware and RaceCars Unlimited was excited to see his E30 parked among the vintage WWII planes.

Welcome (back?) to the Fourth Annual BMW Takes Flight in Orange County, California. For each of the past four years, hundreds of BMW CCA members and hundreds of spectators have punctuated their June with a visit to Lyon Air Museum on the backside of John Wayne Airport. And while it’s not necessarily a vintage plane show, despite the host being an air museum with numerous vintage planes throughout the museum, one to two of the iconic airplanes are rolled out to the “ramp” as a special treat for events like this.

Rex Leandro pulls around the A-26 plane to find his parking spot on the ramp.

This year, the A26 Invader awaited BMW CCA members as they drove parallel to the international airport’s active runways. Groups of the pre-registered attendees were brought in via escort twenty at a time and directed into rows between the A26 and the museum. Its accordion doors opened wide to reveal more vintage planes—the C-47, the T6 Texan, the B-25 Mitchell, the Cessna Birddog, and more.

Cecil Perez’ and Ryan Castros cars fly around the track, so it seemed fitting that they were displayed in front of the planes.

Also on display as even the early entrants arrived were two cars from Motorsport Hardware / Racecars Unlimited. Owners (and CCA members) Ryan Castro and Cecil Perez brought their E30 and E36 racecars which were positioned tail-to-tail in front of the B-25 Mitchell. In the past, those spots were occupied by classics like Jerry Dotson’s and Colleen Sheehan’s Isetta or more recently, a pair of M1s.

Ryan Castro takes pictures of his car as Cecil Perez and Mike Jugan admire the exhibit and cars, too.

Castro is no stranger to car events. “We have had our cars at some pretty cool venues, tracks, and events,” he says. “Not sure there’s been a cooler spot than positioned alongside these vintage war planes at BMW Takes Flight. It was cool having the cars essentially being showcase cars. There was plenty to see with the vintage planes and all the BMWs, but the E30 and E36 racecars also got a lot of attention. This is also special for me, having been in aerospace (forging and failure analysis), but I’m also a World War II plane fanatic. It’s been a dream to have the E30 alongside the B17 Flying Fortress!”

This spot seems to fit Mike Pelly’s 1600 Colorado Cabrio perfectly. (photo by Mike Pelly)

The racecars were juxtaposed by Mike Pelly’s freshly restored 1600 Colorado Cabriolet that had only made its debut at the previous weekend’s Huntington Beach Concours. Pelly is now driving that beauty around his place in Washington State.

Early arrival Mike Jugan found a spot up front looking in at Mike Pelly’s 1600 Cabrio. (Also, as Hagerty is a supporter of the BMW CCA, Jugan is many SoCal CCA members’ Hagerty rep).

“This is one of my favorite events,” Pelly says. “It brings the old and new in such a great setting—an unparalleled setting. I especially liked this year because I got to bring out the 1969 1600 Colorado Cabrio and we got to park it just inside the museum. It was perfectly positioned next to one of the vintage planes with a perfect complement of orange for the Colorado Cabrio.”

Al and his daughter Nina Tumbocon appreciated the video moments the drive in provided.

Pelly’s cabrio might have been one of the rarest cars there (rarer than the Ted Benderev’s Z8 or Dotson’s 327?), but it certainly wasn’t the only convertible. One of the youngest members present, Nina Tumbocon, arrived in her relatively new E30 convertible 318i, and as it was Father’s Day Weekend, brought her dad, Al.

Nina Tumbocon arrived in her birthday and graduation gift, her 1991 318i manual convertible.

“I was excited when I got my BMW last year,” she says. “I didn’t know then how cool the community was. I’ve been out with the car, but rolling into BMW Takes Flight was definitely something I’ve never experienced. It was great to do this with my dad and see so many other great cars in such a cool environment. Can’t wait to do it again next year!”

Maybe it was the relatively mild June weather, but E30 convertibles were popular at BMW Takes Flight.

The senior Tumbocon echoed that energy. “I always like bringing my cars to events and car meets. This was something else, though,” he explains. “Driving in and then alongside planes and then into the event, right under an A-26 vintage plane was incredible. I was thrilled I had the chance to do this with my daughter, too. The E30 is hers so it was a lot of fun to spend time with her at such a dope venue.”

Adam Armour leaves…an airport…to get back to Arizona from Southern California.

Another family affair came in from Yuma, Arizona. Adam Armour recounts the sojourn west from Arizona less than a month from a visit east to The Vintage in North Carolina. “Four hours is just an easy afternoon of driving when you’re used to cross country jaunts in a 1985 528i,” Armour begins. “The trip from Arizona to John Wayne Airport for the fourth annual BMW Takes Flight event starts in the desert, winds through the mountains on the epic and deserted California County Road S2 and ends up in the heart of Orange County. In late June, the weather in Arizona positively chases you to the California coast and slightly cooler climes.”

Adam Armour’s E28 can be seen among a wide variety of BMWs and planes.

“Arriving at the venue, the excitement of sharing the flight line with legends of aviation is capped by parking under the welcome shade of the feature aircraft,” he continues. “Waiting for the public opening is spent wiping the car down one last time. As my family enters the venue, there is so much to look at, and they get to enjoy the plethora of BMW and aviation legends, both old and new. As we explore and take in the sights, we talk about our favorite cars of the show. I am truly smitten with a beautiful, tastefully modified Colorado E9 3.0 CSi. My wife is enamored by a green E21 320i, despite the aggressive racing seat in the driver’s position. I’m keen to gauge my boys’ interest as they are on the cusp of driving on their own.”

The variety and “park-as-you-arrive” alignment provided an even more creative layout of cars.

“My sixteen-year-old takes me to a silver E36 M3 that is actually for sale,” he adds. “We jokingly discuss a payment plan with the owner…just 998 payments of $19 left! My youngest takes me to a very racy-looking, matte grey M4 GTS. The legends of aviation with the backdrop of soaring aircraft serve as a welcome invitation to fly the blue and white roundel low all the way home. The engines are fueled, the chocks have been pulled, it’s time to release the brakes and take flight on another epic journey in a BMW, again! As we depart, I am a little miffed that my kids liked some of the newer metal better than the classics I prefer, but the new generation of driving enthusiasts has excellent choices in BMWs, The Ultimate Driving Machines, whether old or new!”

Aiden Arvizu is seen here departing BMW Takes Flight in his China Blue E28.

Aiden Arvizu also drove an E28 to BMW Takes Flight, but instead of a four-hour drive, his drive in his 1985 China Blue example he rebuilt was about four miles. “I loved it! I had a really great time. It was super unique—I’ve never been able to drive my car on a tarmac of an airstrip or airport. I brought my dad which was great because it was Father’s Day weekend. We enjoyed seeing all the BMWs but also walking around the museum and seeing all the old planes and even other cars and motorcycles the museum has on display. I’d never been before, which is kind of funny because it’s right near where I live.”

Four different decades represented in this row. Well, five if you include the plane.

Yet another E28 owner, Patrick Avakian came this year as a spectator. “What a treat to see the vast array of BMWs displayed with the incredible backdrop of the Lyon Air Museum and airplanes taking off and landing within feet of the event!” the Los Angeles Chapter vice president exclaims. “Passionate BMW enthusiasts with cars ranging from E9s to E90s and G-chasses share the runway and share stories with newly minted members in vintage E30s and 30-year members in pristinely preserved 2002 tii models. It was a truly special event again. Next year, I’ll bring my car inside here.”

It was tough to be keeping up with the enthusiasm from John Porter at his first BMW Takes Flight.

John Porter, BMW fan and founder of the brand “Keeping Up With the Bavarians,” has been to many events across Southern California, but had missed the first three years of this one. “This being my first time at BMW Takes Flight filled me with so much regret…that I hadn’t attended every year since its inception!” he jokes. “Being a lifelong BMW enthusiast and a huge WWII buff just made me think that someone clawed the idea for this show right out of my dreams! I spent just as much time chatting with my fellow Bimmerheads as I did learning new WWII info from the historians dressed in military uniforms working inside the museum! Not to mention the fact that we were literally DRIVING ON AN AIRPORT RUNWAY just had my mind exploding! Easily the most unique car show I’ve ever been to and I’ll surely be attending every year from here on out!”

More than 75 BMW CCA cars spent the morning on the ramp among the vintage planes at Lyon Air Museum

Lyon Air Museum Director Mark Foster certainly likes hearing that. “We’re now into the fourth year with the BMW CCA and BMW Takes Flight and it continues to be a great event each year,” he says. “The cars are always excellent, but it’s great to also have the people element. Each time, we try a new set-up. This time we had the A26 outside with the B25 inside and had the cars facing a different direction on the ramp. This event also seems to fit well with BMWs heritage in aviation. As for the attendees, it’s always great to see the wide range of cars and see the their enthusiasm—and that of the spectators for the event, too—for the planes and other displays we have here at the museum.”

Ray Yuson’s 1993 ALPINA B3 was a highlight for many at BMW Takes Flight.

As is the case most weekends, this isn’t the only event BMW CCA members could attend. Ray Yuson, owner of BMWs, Mercedes, and some JDM fun,chose BMW Takes Flight for the first time. “Living in Southern California, there’s no shortage of awesome car meets every weekend. BMW Takes Flight hits a bit harder due to the fact that we’re able to drive our BMWs pretty much onto an active airport runway and then park amongst some vintage awesome airplanes. It was great to get the ALPINA out for a unique event like this.”

The departure kept the cool factor going, offering an extended additional glimpse of private planes on one side and commercial planes immediately to the right.

At the end of the day, when the last BMWs finished rolling out and back down the tarmac to the exit, the vintage planes remained, seemingly proudly confirming another successful morning. The BMW Takes Flight event has wrapped but the museum is open year-round with a series of exhibits to keep things varied throughout the year.