|
|
 |
 |
An interview with Rob Torres
JP Collins
Pulling up to the last space at the end of Capitolio Way in San Luis Obispo we found a few people sitting around after the ralley, the last event of the weekend. A couple from Nevada with their golf, 2002 tii parked outside some of volunteers and Rob Torres the 02 Fest West organizer were sitting around eating lunch when we came by.
After talking with Rob a few times by email before and after I started organizing my own regional gatherings, we finally met at the event he puts together every year. He invited my wife and me to drop by the shop, meet his cats and check things out.
Looking around the neat work space where Rob works on client's 2002s he tells me it's messy, it is, but with 02 Fest West stuff everywhere, the place looked more like a campaign headquarters than a place where cars were repaired. The only clue of course were the three cars inside and the two or three engines on stands in various states of progress. However this is not so much a place where cars are repaired rather than worked on.
Rob's shop reminds me more of a place where craft takes place like a cabinet maker or furniture builder. Looking around more one can see the tools of the trade, the collections of steering wheels and rare BMW alloy wheels. After awhile you get the idea that Rob loves what he does. I got a chance to talk to Rob after the event and later by email about his work and the 02 Fest West that he's organized for years. But first I wanted to ask about a comment he made earlier that day.
 |
Rob Torres |
Bay Area 02 Earlier you mentioned the fact that the local TV news broadcast about the 02 Fest West used the word bimmers, this is a term I've never fully been comfortable with and it seemed to me you weren't either, is this a term you don't care for or is it something that really makes you cringe?
Rob Torres The event garnered a local CBS affiliate news story on the six and eleven o'clock news. The word they used was Beamer... which to me does not make any difference what-so ever. This is the commonly recognized term for a BMW through the mass media and Hollywood, etc. I personally do not care if someone uses that term, since it is one that is so commonly known. The word Bimmer is one that someone came up with to distinguish between BMW motorcycles and cars. However someone wants to refer to a BMW is fine with me. It is the recognition of the car that says it all !
BA02 Give me a little history of the 02 Fest West, this is the eighth one but from what I understand the first one was held at Stanford, were you part of that one? When did you take over organizing it?
RT The history of the 2002 Fest began in 1989 at the Stanford Linear Accelerator in Palo Alto to recognize the 20th Anniv. of the Golden Gate Chapter. It was know as the "2000 and Two Fest". I did indeed attend that event and won the trivia contest with the tie breaker vote. Two of us answered 48 out of 50 Questions, with the tie breaker question being the total number of 02's produced through their run. The next year was supposed to be another event and it was canceled. The following year was supposed to be another event and it too was canceled. So I decided to do it myself.
I called all of the businesses that I knew of and dealt with over the years on my business and gathered their support and sponsorship. I organized the locations, and assembled a local group of volunteers and enthusiasts to put on the event. Each year it has grown with it's exposure and recognition. We have tried different times of the year to hold the event ranging from August to November with the weather so nice here in SLO.
Each year we add new faces and names as people's schedules do not always allow them to return. There are two other individuals beside myself who have attended each event since the first, and who were recognized for their dedication and support. Their names are Al Lopez and Steve Jackson. They usually contact each other before the event to make sure if the other is coming or not. We have developed a very good friendship amongst us, and look forward to seeing each other every year.
When I visit Double 02 Salvage in Hayward I make it a point to call Steve and he will stop by for a handshake and a hug on his lunch hour. The brotherhood is very alive between us 02 enthusiasts. So the event was re-started in 1992 by myself and the loyal group of owners and enthusiasts.
BA02 I think that you told me that you have had your shop in the present location for eight years, did you have another before that? Where? Did your organizing of the 02 Fest West coincide with opening your shop?
RT I started buying parts cars
and other 02's to repair and sell. I set a goal back
then of going through 100 02's. I was on my way. I only
parted out the cars that were crash damaged beyond being
safely repaired.(so far by last count I have been
through about 80 of them). I was/am into keeping them on
the road!
While still working and attending Cal Poly I continued
to buy, repair, and turn them around. Once I finished
school, I hung out for two years, grew out my hair, and
worked as the Chief Technical Inspector for the Western
Eastern Roadracers Assoc. at Willow Springs
International Raceway in Rosamond, CA.
Later, I got serious about my love of repairing and selling these cars and decided to open up my shop. Having already secured my phone number,
the last four digits being 2002 a couple of years earlier, it was time to
concentrate on the cars. Darn -it! I still continued to
own and ride bikes-although for my pleasure and
relaxation. I wanted to be around for awhile. In order
to be a fully functioning and self-employed individual,
use of all limbs is usually easier!
BA02 You mentioned earlier that you were into motorcycles and Chevys before, when was that, were you a motorhead in high school? Did your mechanical skills develop with your interest or did you discover that you had a fairly natural aptitude right from the beginning?
RT My interest started when my pop, R.E.Torres.Sr. took me to the
old Ontario Motor Speedway and watched the Grand Prix
cycles. Motorcycles are my first (mechanical) love. I
knew I could not earn a living with "bikes", so I got
hooked on the cars. Raised as a Chevy man. First vehicle 61 Chevy Fleetside pick-up. Itraded up to '67 Chevy Camaro SS w/ '69 z-28 small block.11 1/2 :1 pop-up pistons, solid steel crank, z-28
street cam, double-hump fuelie heads, z-28 intake
manifold, 780-double pumper carb. All motor. Running
N-50 with Cragar rims. Used to get 4th gear chirps ALL
day long. Sold to move to SLO and attend Cal Poly.
Should have hung onto that one!
BA02 How long have you been involved with the marque and when did you discover an affinity for the 2002? What was your first 2002 like?
RT While at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo I wanted a Corvette in the worst way, and could not afford it being a working college student.
The gent I was working for at the time suggested I take
a look at a little car called the BMW 2002.
The first one I looked at and purchased was a '70 2002(Nevada), especially after driving it! The owner was a BMWCCA member, and I was hooked. That was November 1983. The first thing I did was join the club. I saved the membership fee through the parts discount of one of the advertisers. I was on my way!
BA02 Let's talk a little about why you organize the event, what's behind all of the work, is it social interaction, promoting the car, masochism, D) all of the above?
RT I organize this event for many reasons...
a. my enthusiasm for these cars
b. the social aspect of getting together with fellow enthusiasts
c. to bring the north and the south owners together to share in a common goal
d. to build our network of friends and family who are dedicated to keeping the 02's on the road
e. to build my business trough my dedication and network of owners and enthusiasts.
f. to use my college education in Marketing and Sales to promote the event.
BA02 The guy that works on my car says that he thinks we're in another (maybe a third Renaissance) of the 2002 have you seen an increase of people coming to you with these cars they've bought and want to fix up or have you had a steady clientele maintaining their cars for a long period of time or making upgrades here and there?
RT There is in my opinion an ongoing fascination and love of these cars. There are old owners who have come back into the fold, and there are new owners who continue to sign up and pay their dues. It is a very fascinating thing for me as both an enthusiast and a supporter of the car and the event to see the old and new people continuing their love of the 2002. There has always been a turnover of owners with these cars and this will continue to be the case. The money spent on our 2002's is because we really enjoy owning and driving them, not as an investment( a 401K or the Stock Market is an investment). The best bet is to find one that someone has already repaired, repainted, or restored and pay a little more for the things that have already been done. If not, the rule is that: "if it hasn't been replaced it will need to be".
BA02 Given that, what's the turn out for 02 Fest West been like over the years?
RT The turn-out of the 02 Fest West has grown approximately 20-25% each year. The mailing/contact list numbers about 400 owners and enthusiasts. The list continues to grow each year as the event is refined and is now the largest event of its kind in North America.
BA02 One last question: Now that this year's event is over, are you ready for next year?
RT Yes , I am ready for next year! 
|
|
|
|
