derBayerische July/August 2023 - 15

T H E C H E R R Y B L O S S O M R U N C E L E B R A T E S I T S T H I R D Y E A R A T T H E T I D A L B A S I N
to where our day had begun. Thanks
to Figueredo, there was a special
Cherry Blossom Run menu at
Urbano and a closed-street BMW car
show from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the
heart of Mosaic District. In addition
to outside seating, the restaurant's
large windows were open, providing
unimpeded views of German steel no
matter where you sat.
Adjacent to the show, there was
a large farmer's market, which had
booming attendance due to the
spectacular weather. Cross-pollination
of the groups ensued, bringing
spectators of all ages to mingle with
BMWs and their owners. I recall one
conversation with a gentleman who
asked, " Do you know why all these
cars are parked here? " After explaining
it was a car show, I still wasn't
sure he understood the " why, " so I
said, " We're just a bunch of weird car
enthusiasts who enjoy driving and
sharing our cars, and happen to own
BMWs. " His brow relaxed and he
said, " That's cool, I can appreciate
'weird,' " and he walked off to explore
the blend of classic and modern
BMWs.
In addition to the mix of cars,
there was a mix of familiar and new
faces who joined the band of
Bimmers for this year's event, some
traveling hundreds of miles like Rick
Eickhoff of Royersford, Pennsylvania
in his Alpine White 1987 535i (E28).
This was Eickhoff's second year
attending, and he again brought his
five-year-old Samoyed, Kiev, who he
says " is a local celebrity to camera
lenses at car shows. " Kiev is very
photogenic, so I believe it.
Eickhoff describes his trip to
the show, " I departed at 3:30 a.m.
Sunday morning to make the
pilgrimage down to the Mosaic
District. This show is tailored for the
BMW community who enjoy the
classic marque. It's a great way to get
the cars out of their winter slumber
and back on the road, test some of
the new winter project upgrades, and
talk with new and old friends of the
BMW family. " Will he be back next
year? Without hesitation, Eickhoff
agrees, " Definitely-can't miss the
great show and cruise, along with the
outstanding brunch at Urbano! "
Mike Van Gheem is another
second-time attendee who woke at odark-thirty
and traveled from Virginia
Beach for the event, making the long
drive in his Cashmere Beige 91 325i
(E30). He describes his E30 as " a
former Cali car running Apex ARC-8s
wheels and a few tasteful mods. "
However, it wasn't the car he brought
to the 2022 event, saying, " Last year
was my first trip up from Virginia
Beach, and I drove my '87 Diamond
Schwarz 535iS. I met two other E28
owners last year and we joined up
again this year. "
Van Gheem says he returned
because " The Cherry Blossom Run is
a great opportunity to join with old
Bimmer friends, celebrate the joys of
driving, and fixing and modifying the
cars we love! " As with Eickhoff, he is
already looking forward to next year.
" [I'm] already planning on bringing
our green '91 325i Cabrio-hopefully
during the height of the blossoms
down on the Tidal Basin! "
For some, like Ryan Groll of
Maryland's Eastern Shore, the excitement
comes from the event's high
E30 quotient. Groll brought his
Zinnoberrot Red 1987 325iS (E30)
named " Nugget " , for which he
recently completed a full multi-year
restoration. He says, " What I really
enjoy and get excited about is seeing
so many of the same vintage cars in
one place and being able to connect
with the owners. I live on the eastern
shore in Maryland, and I may see one
E30 on the road in a lifetime. And
even if I see it on the road, the
chances of me getting to talk to the
owner are slim! So, at this event I
was able to see and talk with everyone,
which is inspiring. "
One BMW sparking inspiration
at this year's run was Antoine
Muller's Tundra Green 1972 3.0CS
(E9), a car that has been a big part of
his life since he was young. Muller's
father purchased the E9 as a daily
driver in the 1980s, after a light
restoration had been performed.
Muller recalls, " I remember being
dropped off at school and doing
Saturday morning errands with my
Dad-I was a little guy riding in the
front seat. I grew up in that car. "
When Muller's father passed away, he
inherited the E9 and the title was
signed over to him when he turned
18. He reflects, " That car is definitely
part of his identity to me, which is
one of the reasons it was so important
for me to keep it. "
It's certainly a unique E9 with a
lot of history. Muller says, " You see
a lot of restomods in the American
muscle car scene, and I see my car as
■ (Opposite page) The second Cherry Blossom Run in 2022 hit peak bloom. (Below) The eight E30s from the first Cherry Blossom Run in 2021.
July I August
15

derBayerische July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of derBayerische July/August 2023