Vintage at the Vineyards 2010

We made it! With only a few minor hiccups, the 1600 made the trek to Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, NC in fine style. This was my first V@V, and I'm hooked. Scott Sturdy really does a great job planning and executing this event. Seeing and meeting all the BMW people that I have only met online was a great experience.



You can see the 1600 right up front!





I was surprised to see that Steve Petersen (BLUNT of www.blunttech.com) drove all the way from Minnesota to join us. I feel like kind of a wimp for only driving six hours.



The 2002 brethren had a really great "2002 Ambassador" area with several very nice examples of each variety of 2002. Many volunteers were on hand to talk about 2002s, which didn't require much coaxing.



I just love this trailer.



This Voll Cabriolet 1600 was just beautiful. I need to find one of those license plate brackets for my 1600.





Later that evening, we went for a drive down to Elkin, NC. I doubt that I'll get to park next to a Turbo again any time soon.







At the vendor section, I scored this early 1600 cluster (6 volt clock?) and this set of grilles. Notice the early 1600 10-slat kidney grille. Score!





The Drive:





I was so excited to hear the car running, that I didn't mind driving sans radio.



We got about 100 miles into the trip before we realized that we forgot to run an alternator wire. There was a Wal*Mart nearby, so it took just a little time to get the necessary supplies and solder up a wire. A local BMW and Porsche enthusiast named Chance gave us a jump and we were on our way.






Overall, it was a fantastic weekend. I met a bunch of really nice people and discovered that dehydration is ever so much more possible with a lot of sun and a bottle of wine (who knew?). I look forward to next year.

Lastly, Dana and I stopped at the gas station closest to the vineyard just before we began the trip home. Whilst perusing the small section of wine bottles inside (the station and the Hampton Inn franchise are both owned by the same people that own Shelton Vineyards), an older man began asking us which wines we liked. We talked with him for a few minutes about which ones we liked, which ones we bought and how much fun the even was. At some point in the conversation, he introduced himself as Charles Shelton. He was happy to hear that we had a good time at his vineyard.