distributor dumpster diving

[Mike Arman <armanmik@n-jcenter.com>]

Who knows what lurks in the back room of your favorite marque's importer . . .

Many years ago, when I ran the warranty department for Max Hoffman, who
imported BMW cars east of the big muddy, he decreed a giant warehouse
cleanout. All kinds of absolute TREASURES went directly into the dumpsters
- we were instructed to destroy, smash using hammers, (among *lots* of
other stuff) several hundred brand new headlight assemblies for BMW 501,
502, and even 507 cars - (If they had any idea what they would be worth now
. . .) - heartbreaking.

I did manage to rescue a 503 tool kit, complete, brand new, and it now
lives in the trunk of my type 44, and a pair of brand new complete tailight
assemblies, chrome and lenses, matched set, for a pre-war BMW type 328
roadster - total unobtanium. They went to someone who was restoring one and
who had quite literally scoured the world unsuccessfully until I came along.

The horror. The horror.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman