THIS IS NOT YOUR DRIVETRIBE, BUT RATHER THE LEISEY_TRIBE
Read About: A story of a dynamic, kidney-grill, shotgun, duo
“I was on my usual drive over the Red River Bridge, on the border between Oklahoma and Texas, heading to Ponca City. I was casually enjoying my new engine with 13k miles on it, Metric Mechanic S14. And all of a sudden fire, cluttering noise and….”
This is one of the many stories Jeff Leisey was telling me about his daily livings with a BMW. In this particular one, his brand new engine in his E30 M3, well… exploded. You can probably see that this car didn’t last much longer in his possession after that. Especially considering this was his second engine he was on, after a local Houston shop laid hands on it trying to cure excessive oil consumption, his wife said that is enough wasting money. Jeff got rid of it.
JEFFThe E30 M3, was never a great daily around town. You had to constantly ride it at the top end of the RPM spectrum.
But his passion for the BMW brand begins few years earlier with a brand new E36 M3. He was bored by the Acura way of life, and was flipping through the Road&Track magazine one day. Jeff read this great piece on the new (1996) M3. And he did what any sensible man should do, went and got himself one. How do we put it lightly, it went downhill from there.
Jeff did grow up around German steel, as his uncle had an E9 Bavaria, and he himself owned 1966 Porsche 911 in his youth. Crashed a few.. but that’s for another time and some beers. Oh and cigars too as he likes to pair the three, so masterfully.
The E36 M3, came and stayed; soon came the E30 M3 (and went); and a 2000 M5 (that one went sideways a lot, daily); and 2003 M3 (that - the dealership totaled); and a 2006 M3 (currently on track duty); and 2010 M3 (the latest daily); some X5s to keep the wife comfortable and happy (but not to forget that the track cars need a tow vehicle). All those served as DAILY rides over the years, and some for track duties. But in between there was one car that left a solid imprint. Yeah you guessed it right – E28 535i.
Additionally, in the late 90’s Jeff had his first addition to the family – his first born son (seems like his daughter is also into it, judging by the family album photos I got). That was little Sammy that came around first. He is actually not so little anymore. I remember meeting him 3 or so years ago at a 24 Hour LeMons race. I was amazed by his knowledge at such a young age. Little that I knew, he had started his love and active participation with cars at the early age of 10. I am talking going with dad to the track at age of 10.
JEFFIt worked well for us. I was able to enjoy my time on the track, bring my son, and my wife was happy, as we split the kids equally.
When talking to these two, Jeff recollected a story about a vehicle that they are currently working on. Sammy must have been only 2 or 3 years old, but he had expressed quite clearly that was by far his favorite that car of all. That is that same red E28 535i. Jeff got rid of it in the early 2000s, only for it to come back to them this past spring, from no other but Sherman. Ironically, it was 2 years to this Christmas, Sherman and myself went to the South side of Houston, and purchased that car for some 3-digit undisclosed value. Upon our quick glance over this E28, we knew this was loved earlier in its life. I believe we found a receipt with Jeff’s name on it, in the trunk.
It ended up back with the right custodians. It is currently going through a major overhaul, to soon become Jeff’s new daily.
"The floor boards were majorly rusted. My bad ass stereo is all gone. The rear suspension fell apart. The interior has some weird rips. But I am looking forward to putting it all back together." - Jeff
Sammy naturally has fulfilled his dream and has built himself an E28 to his taste. He has mastered the art of DIYship to a level that could make any grown man envious and embarrassed. That will be a skillset that no school could teach him, and he will only have a cutting edge on the competition. Compliments to Jeff for supporting such a great hobby, on Sammy’s path to adulthood.
JEFFMy son is only bringing me to TexFest, so I can pay his gas and his room…
Jeff has built in his backyard what can only be described as every DIYer’s dream – two-bay, two-story garage with a man cave, a lift and a machine shop in the back. That is where all the magic happens.
Both father and son are active track day visitors, and share rides between the infamous blue E46 M3, or Sammy’s E28 (he introduced that car himself to the DVR readers earlier last week).
What is your parent-child story?
Join In
Comments (2)
Are you suggesting they need a van?
The A Team.