Barn Find 80s Tuner BMW survivor - will it run?

[@richardgledhill]

Stunning. I vaguely remember Hartge from the 80s! Walter's reaction is great, reminds me of our dog when faced with a piece of juicy steak... For reference, it's pronounced "Heart-guh". It would be "hurt-guh" if the a had an umlaut (ä). Even if it's not a real barn find, it's still a great video. Thanks Jonny and Team TLBS! And thanks to Matt for sharing a very special and personal car with us all.

[@InitialP_Photography]

I thought they were still about doing wheels, didn't know they were a tuning company.

[@BS-my6qx]

Jonny pronounced Hartge correct 😉 Greetings from North Germany

[@kougerat5388]

Danke 🙂Now I know for sure, being an ex Londoner though I'll probably stick with Hartage😉 @@BS-my6qx

[@grievuspwn4g3]

The umlaut in Hartge is a real Mandela effect.

[@PixelVogue]

I remember taking my Hartge styled E36 to BMW Gaydon show and people where like whats Heartage....LOL

[@andrewsanjayprasad]

As a kid I sent off to Birds Hartge for a brochure. Their Sales rep Alan Sherborne lived less than a mile away so they had him drop them off. They must have been anticipating a real sale enquiry and nor a kid wanting to add to a bulging brochure collection, as he turned up in the Birds silver H5 demonstrator. He was so polite and didn’t show any disappointment, I remember my parents saying what the hell have you asked for! He gave my Dad and I a blast between 2 motorway junctions in it, it was so impressive. Great to see one again!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

What a story! Love that these barnfinds spark off the car memories.

[@1983dmd]

@@TheLateBrakeShow This reminds me when my friend and I were 27 years old and visited the Lotus dealer in Boston USA just to admire the Esprit...After a 30 minute talk with the very nice sales director, he told us if we would like a road test, even if he knew we were absolutely not prospective buyers ! He pulled the car out of the showroom and my friend took the passenger seat, I was ready to wait for them returning for my turn as a passenger but instead he gave me the keys and told us take it for a 30 minute ride and bring it back in one piece !!!!!!!!!!! Unbelievable....Guess what: My friend bought a Lotus Esprit 10 years later from the salesman...This is a lesson for all sales persons out there !! This is how you build a customer base...

[@HQBProductions]

Johnny..I was “there” when Hartge was a well known BMW tuner and the cars were indeed highly regarded…but they were also impossibly expensive to buy. In 1989 I was able to buy a new 525i SE but a Hartge was certainly on my wish list but no chance I could buy one. It is interesting to hear you all so wonderous at the car and revelling in details which seemed quite normal back then…just hardly anybody could buy one! I still have some of the brochures from that time and I hope this car gets a proper refresh and is saved. These cars are now being recognised for the special things they were and to many of us, light years more interesting than ten You Tubers Launching yet another M3 Touring! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@robmcdonald992]

It’s a nice car for sure, but the idea that it’s been off the road for 18 years doesn’t tie up at all with the MoT history. Also the fact the engine was rebuilt by another tuner kind of takes away the “special” part of the car.

[@Low760]

​@@robmcdonald992 to me it's but that special. It's a 535i with another badge. E34s aren't that rare.

[@MatthewUrso]

Omg the heartache in his voice "you never said that" when he mentioned the short shift kit.... That man has LONGING

[@walterchrobok3114]

Thanks for understanding 🙏🏼

[@clc2328]

@@walterchrobok3114 Its exactly like me wanting Cammisa's Scirocco.....

[@Rich.Aardvark]

A little bit ov wee definitely came out.

[@Rich.Aardvark]

​@@walterchrobok3114 never seen a man so happy 👍

[@jonathancost4927]

I noticed that too Matthew, hilarious!

[@youremostwelcome]

My favourite part of this entire video was when not long after they fired it up and you could see Jonny refrain from revving it at the throttle body, lest the owner clout him. You could see the entire thought process pass across his face. Quality viewing.

[@adimw]

100% he wanted to give that throttle cable a tug

[@paulw103]

Yup, Jonny’s little devil was clearly there 😈

[@NYHeeb]

American here 44 who loves tuner brands from the ,80,90s, this is so amazing. Ive only seen small pics in like a mag before. That man is a hero great taste and mad respect

[@space.youtube]

I'm by no means a BMW fan, but this could be one of my favourite Barn Finds ever. The owner's somewhat reserved demeanor is hilariously contrasted by Walter's enthusiastic geeking out.

[@walterchrobok3114]

Most kind 😊😅

[@besenzon1]

He loves his number plates 😳😳😳😳 Bless DVLA for remembering and contacting. Great story

[@robertescott1139]

Probably had the plate at original point of contact, took them 10 years to process it 😂

[@ramblerandy2397]

The DVLA must hav some enthusiasts in their midsts. I still have my Dutch imported Honda VFR 800FiY and it had to be registered in the UK. And so I went into the DVLA one day, about 20+ years ago and asked for a number. Bear in mind that my VFR is a V4, 5th generation, which hails from a racing heritage. So it's a Superbike. And the guy behind the counter came up with V45SBK, I couldn't believe it. He just smiled. Nice video, btw.

[@eliotmansfield]

i think the plate is a bit gash tbh

[@matt-squires]

HAR76E would have been better

[@skylined5534]

​@@matt-squires Except it wasn't available.

[@matthewyoung3942]

I'm 34 years old, a self confessed car addict, been around cars my whole life, worked in franchise automotive retail for almost 18 years, bought, built and sold my own cars and I mean what I'm about to say with every fibre of being, I've never, ever, coveted a car more than this one. The rarity, the story, that era of German performance, my love for old BMW's and although I'll never have the opportunity the way I know it'll drive, that is, for me at least, automotive mecca. You can keep you unattainable 250 GTO's, this will be every bit as joyous to drive and even better to drag out of the garage and live with. Again well done Jonny for unearthing the unearthly weird and niche, and this is totally my niche 👏 👏 👏 ❤

[@walterchrobok3114]

Nice words 😊

[@marcusott2973]

Mine would be an E34 M5 Touring. I understand. 👍

[@The_Foulmouthed_Cypriot]

As a 45 year old son of a VAG mechanic who grew up on a staple diet of Vee-Dubs and Audis, I'd just like to say how taken a back I am seeing this absolute beauty. Never been a BM fanboy but seeing a car that's rarer than rocking horse shit and in such fantastic condition fills me with awe of it and respect for its owner.

[@pinut187]

Sad to read that someone that is a VAG fanboy can only respect another brands car because of its rarity.

[@bcm0022009]

I totally get the family heirloom thing, the connection, and wanting to pass it down.... but pleeeaassee don't give such an irreplaceable and priceless example of a unicorn to a teenager/young man; it will not survive! Vividly remembering my own youth, and seeing the young people around me (though of course I love them to bits), a beautiful thing like this will definitely not stay that way if placed in their hands... Thanks so much Matt for sharing... Love the videos... Much love from Australia 🙏❤️😋

[@MalcolmLambe]

Exactly. I cringed when he said that.

[@Roverturbo]

EVERYONE crashes their first car don’t they…😅

[@evldan]

As a teenage boy I would have preferred 50k to spend on a car of my choice! While Dad gets the other 50K..and a BMW fan gets a dream car! (it could have been a win all-round situation)

[@karlschroen392]

I've had my 392 charger that me and my dad built since I was 16. Been 6 years and many hard miles, but I have yet to crash it or any car at all.

[@Boomboom-ox9hn]

Believe me, he isn't passing that car down to his son. A friend of mine bought a Ford RS 2000 way back quoting the same sentence. That same car sits at the back of his workshop under a cover collecting dust still to this day while his son runs around in a brand-new ST Fiesta.. You wait… that BMW Hartge will be for sale at some point… I guarantee you…

[@violinmiata]

The man made a special garage for it. It’s being cared for and that makes me happy! What a gorgeous car

[@chrisbiewer-rallye-info]

Very interesting for me because I am from the town where Hartge was formed. First, the name as pronounced at the beginning of the video is correct, with an A as in car. I can’t remember that there was a H5 with 3.7L, there was a bored up 2.7L based on the BMW e34 525i. Hartge was quite famous and successful at some point with a European touring car program with the BMW 635CSi. They also had a rally program with e21 320, 323i and e30 M3. These cars were mostly driven by Swedish rally star Ingvar Carlsson, which was significant in an unexpected twist later. Company founder was Herbert Hartge, at first supported by his two brothers. In the late 1980s his brothers Rolf & Andreas Hartge switched to Mercedes tuning briefly under the same name from the same workshop in Beckingen. But it turned out BMW fans and Mercedes fans were very opposed to each other and the Mercedes arm moved to Merzig and needed a new name as well. As by pure coincidence the Hartge BMW rally star Ingvar Carlsson was a Mercedes works driver in the WRC in 1980, and so the new name for the Mercedes arm was chosen to be Carlsson Mercedes, even though the Hartge brothers remained the bosses with little influence from Ingvar Carlsson himself. Hartge also did some tuning on Mini models, but they were not as famous as his big engined BMW, and yes the Hartge cars were as far as I know always built from bare BMW chassis from scratch. Carlsson in turn had some interesting adventures with other manufacturers. They made a tuning kit for a Toyota Camry, converted a Toyota Celica into a Cabriolet and made rather nice work with 2 generations of the Citroen C5 estate. Sadly because of age (I suspect) the oldest brother Herbert Hartge meanwhile closed the doors on his company. Carlsson Mercedes I understand was sold in good faith to a Chinese company indicating big plans, but as so often with the Chinese, the new owner uses this name for his own products and couldn’t care less of the origins of the company. It’s a shame really. I liked them both not only for they were from my home, in contrast to other tuners Hartge and Carlsson played with relatively mild tuning but using bigger engines (see i.e. the H5 V12) and the body kits were subtle and elegant. Where i.e. especially Brabus and AMG seem to be right into your face, the Hartge and Carlsson cars were very much sleeper cars. Being as fast as Schnitzer, Alpina, Brabus etc but not showing off too much and being quite reliable too. The Carlsson Citroen C5 i.e. despite having in the area of 240BHP could even be ordered through official Citroen dealers with the full factory warranty.

[@clayp.e30_v86]

As a bmw nut, this video hit the spot. That is what can be truly defined as a unicorn.!! This era of bmw was when bmw were at their absolute best. The pinnacle really Hope he gets it out and uses it. Both he and the car deserve it

[@foundnotlost]

I have the same illness, started in my teenage years with the 2002 and e30 then driving my first e30 325i, has me for life now. What BMW nut doesn't know about Hartge,

[@br4kecheckd]

Gran Turismo 2 backpack. 16:28. Damn. Relic. My childhood. Right in the feels.

[@nickmoulton446]

E34 / E39 ‘s, the pinnacle of BMW excellence. I had many. This is an absolute delight

[@adams7405]

Best cars on the road by far back then...now all similar

[@andrewgarcia3136]

Those cars were so good every other automaker copied them

[@marcusott2973]

I had an E34 525iX as a company car drove all over Central and Eastern Europe in it in ever weather on crap roads in the mid 90's. Always a great drive. The company switched to Audi A6 quattros(C5), "Vorsprung durch Technik " my a**. The older E34 platform was twice the car.

[@jimothy84]

I absolutely love the reaction of Walter to each of the little Hartge pieces!

[@walterchrobok3114]

Cheers dude, all those bits add so much to my heartache 😂😂😂😢

[@ToucanLLC]

I used to work for Hartge in Beckingen from 1991 to sometime in 1994. I never saw a H5S, but have had the pleasure of driving the 3-series with this engine and even the 24 valve engine. That was pretty wild. The Hartge badges on this car are from a later date than the car itself. We changed the font of the letters while I was with Hartge, so after 1989. The Hartge badge in the steering wheel is the original font, so that's likely to be from the original build. So anything with that font is original with the age of the car, but anything with the font as on the center bage on the trunk is from after the early 90's. Also, the rims are of a later date. These three piece rims have the bolts 'sunken'. The originals ones had them raised and were smaller. The 5-series Hartge folder is also from the early 90's as I was there when we did them for all the models. My favorite was the flyer for the 850i. We did a 850CSi with 6.0 liter engine with about 430hp. Anyway, happy memories.

[@Slingshotgixxer]

Must say it was rather nice to see a car that is cared for and in great shape for once, it gets a bit depressing seeing once gorgeous cars rotted , on flat tires , piled with debris , a shadow of their former selves . Great episode!

[@barfmeister8509]

A friend’s deceased husband owned a number of Hartge builds. A e24 6er, a e28 M5 with Hartge conversion and a very special 1 of 6 Hartge H36 based on a e30 M3. This had a 3.6 M5 motor and was used to great effect on track days and ring trips. When it was time to sell it on, she struggled to find much interest in it and was sold for much less than it’s worth. This was maybe 15years ago, things would probably be very different in todays market…… This e34 H5s is a bit of me. I know a number of people in BMW circles who would love a piece of this very special machine.

[@Aha_0000]

For Sale?

[@zakelwe]

Nice story. I remember seeing one of their 6 cyl versions of the M3 back in the day at a normal garage in Rochdale, just sitting there, black and white chequerboard seats I recall. I think later they tried to put the V10 in the 3 series as well ... cough.

[@_TwoBobBit]

What a lovely car, and in great condition too, thanks for sharing it with us Matt and Jonny. I will say one thing though: PLEASE don't give this to your boy as his first car! I wholeheartedly agree with passing it down to your kids, as i shall be doing with my Elise, but i remember my first car - it was only a 1.1 Shitroen Saxo, i loved it (it didn't deserve to be loved!) but that poor thing took some abuse. It got scraped on things, the wheels got scuffed, nearly crashed, driven in winter salt, I practiced handbrake turns and skids in it, all the usual teenage stuff! First cars are for bonking into stuff without having to worry too much - for learning how to drive well without having too many consequences when things do go wrong. By all means hand it down, but in my opinion it needs to be kept as a second car, for high days and holidays, and cared for properly - not thrashed by the inexperienced hand of a young lad. Just my opinion, it's your car. Enjoy! :)

[@fastEdCanuck]

What a beautiful car. That’s the best styling of all years of the 5-Series IMO.

[@BlueHopi144]

indeed

[@jambear7862]

Agreed

[@e28forever30]

That would be the E28 for me. Not hating on the E34, great car.

[@jambear7862]

@@e28forever30 great car but a bit tall. The e34 is powerful looking yet smart

[@e28forever30]

@@jambear7862 power to weight ratio is superb on the E28, it was the lightest 5 series. Classic styling with elegance and sportiness. E34 is more of a luxury barge.

[@jonathancost4927]

As a teenager i always pronounced it Hartige as Walter does. Walter's reactions are classic and had me in stitches! I hope to God Matt does not give it to his son! That is way too precious a car to let some kid rag it around!

[@e28forever30]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Let the kid drive some cheap cars first, this is not “first car” material.

[@matthewmason8982]

I’m sure it won’t be treated as your usual Saxo/ Corsa first car!

[@jamiedufrayer5461]

What a car! Sounds amazing. Walter's reaction was class 🤣

[@walterchrobok3114]

Deeply upsetting to watch this back

[@jamiedufrayer5461]

@@walterchrobok3114 I hope not mate! Love the passion, we could all feel your pain that it's not for sale!

[@walterchrobok3114]

@@jamiedufrayer5461 was just as painful waiting for the episode to come out 😂😂

[@jamiedufrayer5461]

@@walterchrobok3114🤣 How long since it was filmed?

[@roelfkromhout]

@@walterchrobok3114yeah I get that. It’s plain to read on your face 😂❤

[@besenzon1]

Not a BMW guy but with the passion from Walter you can’t help but fall in love with it. ❤️ Shame Walter didn’t get to go for a spin in it 😔

[@walterchrobok3114]

Cheers dude much appreciated. Can’t have them all 😢

[@besenzon1]

@@walterchrobok3114 hopefully you get a chance soon 🙏🤞

[@Calvi36]

Now that is a thing of pure beauty. Matt is a lucky man to own such a beautiful and rare car.

[@aaronmacphee]

Too bad it’ll be wrapped around a pole before long. Sad.

[@kevinwallace9921]

I've been away for a week without my LBS fix and I return to this gem. As a lover of BMW's and especially the 5 series and an owner of one now I can't even begin to imagine how special this thing is in the flesh. As an early 70's child I grew up on a diet of Sierra Cosworths only as my dad was a salesman for an Ford RS dealership. The whale tail was our family car. The school run car has become so iconic and valuable its crazy so surely this thing is on another level. Got to be worth way more than suggested due to it's rarity and unmolested condition. Mega car, lovely owner, super episode. One of your best to date. Wowsers!!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Glad you enjoyed it. Happy to give you the necessary TLBS fix!

[@AdamJRichardson]

The sun backlighting as you start out and say the word "brighter" a few seconds in is *chefs kiss*. And I lol'd at the heart icon when Walter was staring at the open engine! I'm not a BMW nerd at all, but it was fun watching poor Walter have almost repeated fainting spells! Thanks for relaxing your BF "rules" to bring us this

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thanks Adam. We did use a bit of artistic license with the sun in the intro.

[@stephenkayll5241]

As a previous owner of big straight six BMW's they all sound the same on starting, a magic sound. A very special car.

[@benhooper1956]

I am lost for words Jonny, but I will try. I started school in Salisbury in 2006, and to think that this was prowling the streets then is amazing. I have never been a die-hard BMW fan, but I am a die-hard fan of tuning specials. People always misunderstand me and think I hate modified cars. I don't, and I absolutely adore tuning house specials like this as they are officially special in a really subtle way and that speaks to my sense of style completely. Thank you so much to shedding light on this, only wish I had been 23 in 2006 and not, well, 3 - so that I might have been in with even a tiny chance of nabbing it. But then I'd have probably been a different person had that been the case

[@razor000999000]

Just wanted to say thank you. Lost my mam earlier this week and been finding this last week really hard. I couldn't sleep so click on this video as i love classic bmw and for them 20 mins or so that I watched, and listened to the back story of the car and watched your great reactions, for them few minutes i taken away from my pain and just enjoyed this stunning car. Thank you.

[@1983dmd]

That's nice...Hang on, things will be better...

[@1968spikey]

Clichéd remark, but you'll never get over it but having lost both my parents it DOES get a little easier. Glad this distraction did just what was needed. 😊

[@northnj5856]

You're getting my first KZbin comment. I really enjoyed watching the video. I grew up in N. New Jersey in the US. I had a neighbor who had several visitors over the summers and they would always have the latest BMW M cars with AC Schnitzer and Hartge add-ons. I was somewhat familiar with Hartage (London pronunciation) but have never had the pleasure of seeing one in such detail. It was nice to correct my pronunciation and learned a bit more about Hartge. In the end, it turned out the neighbors were drug dealers and the fed busted them in 93 or 94, one morning on my way to school. Seeing those cars actually started my appreciation and now enjoyment for BMWs.

[@craigstorey4081]

I remember being fascinated as a kid by a Hartge 3 series compact where they managed to squeeze a 750i tuned V12. Absolutely class!

[@Invisibleman7]

Really enjoyed that.Walter stood there in stunned silence. Beautiful rare BMW indeed

[@walterchrobok3114]

I would have driven it home no tax no mot no problem 😂😂 appreciate your comment 🙏🏼

[@Invisibleman7]

@@walterchrobok3114 Same here Walter

[@fretlessfender]

Sometimes I wonder... how high can this show fly? Jonny you are still in the up! This was great!

[@1chish]

Showing my age here but I owned a BMW M535i Hartge E28 in the early '90s. Gorgeous deep Burgundy colour, full body kit but without the side stripes. Big square exhaust outlet in the middle of the rear bumper. THE most amazing BMW Big 6 Sound.

[@e28forever30]

When Johnny announced “an eighties 5 series”, I was hoping for an E28.. Not disappointed though!

[@1chish]

@@e28forever30 Me too as the E34 came out in 1988 so more 'Nineties' than 'Eighties'. Pretty special car though!

[@olliewebbuk]

@@1chish If it came our in 1988 all of it's development would have been done in the mid-80s. So not sure what your point is.

[@1chish]

@@olliewebbuk Well I can't help your inability to understand my very simple point. Try harder ... 🤣

[@paulsheward]

This is absolutely fantastic. What a car!!! Great to hear about the back story. Makes it even more special. 👊

[@thomaswelcomer8443]

Im thinking Jonny enjoys these "barn finds" episodes more than others.... many of us just enjoy ANY post that he brings us along! Thanx for all the hard work!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you. Yeah, they are always interesting to work on. If the car fires up without tools it's always a bonus!

[@t1mmy13]

I've been interested in some rare BMW's here and there, nothing serious, but I've never ever seen anything like this. Absolutely amazing

[@peterbowden2646]

Not a bmw fan but you cant help but be impressed with the specification and history and all the brochures and magazine articles for this rare bird built by birds? Excellent find johnny!

[@80skidgrownup00]

I couldn't quite see Walters expression when Matt said he was going to give the car to his son as a first car, but I'm imagining he looked gobsmacked

[@pauldixon3677]

Another new school day there Jonny. I like you had heard of Alpina but never Hartge! Wow what a beautiful example and with all the paperwork and the big purring lump starting on the button. Thank you for sharing this bit of motoring history.

[@AnagramAutoclassics]

The BFF is out, so it's going to be another good episode! And best of all, no rubbish to clear out first, just three big bikes! A 5-series in your back passage 😂

[@andrewjones4285]

Brilliant episode! What an absolute stunner of a BMW. Technical barn find or not a rare fine is a rare find!

[@brymills]

Stop apologising for it not being a barn find! This was awesome!

[@chr15DFC]

Love watching these barn finds because the passion and love for these cars the owners have makes me feel better for being such a nerd myself. Walters reaction is just so pure. Can tell he has a love for these cars. Bet he could fill a few videos with his knowledge… great episode as ever. Love it!

[@walterchrobok3114]

Most kind 😊

[@cornishrider]

The engine sound says it all! That's how I remember deprecation, notice how the similar standard 535i's in the surrounding ads were around the same price!

[@iainmartin1015]

What a fantastic piece of automotive history. My heart sank when I saw the alarm under the bonnet - possibly Scorpion - and thought "that could scupper things. It sounds gorgeous too.

[@guyredshaw1422]

Oh wow! Amaaaaaaaazing car! Big thanx and respect to Matt for sharing it and his special story. Also thanx to Jonny and the team for getting it on film. Very special!👏👏👏👏⭐️💥

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you. Seriously niche and seriously rare is what we all seem to get off on! Appreciate the comment

[@simonzero3815]

That is simply the best video you have ever put together. So lovely to watch three enthusiasts rave over such a car. Thank you so much.

[@TheManmoths]

What a top bloke 🤝🏻 Love a Hartge - I’ve fond memories of them stuffing V8s into 1 Series and Z4s, everything they touch is just cool.

[@T4Liam]

They did a crazy conversion on the 3 series compact, and stuck the V12 into the 5 series as well.

[@NYHeeb]

That is what a tuner does my God the details. Its beauty , its true expression the love of cars. For some of us this passion is unable to even put in words. The ,money,blood ,swear ,tears,years put into it. If u know u know.

[@AndrewKay-fg1bj]

“This’ll be my oldest son’s first car” - Please, I understand the sentiment, but don’t. Promise it for later in life when he can truly appreciate it

[@peterunderdown4374]

Fantastic, true example of rare vehicles, plus true car nuts in the best sense.thank you.

[@gkstanfield]

HARTGE regularly placed advertisements in the BMW CCA ROUNDEL club magazine in the ‘80’s…generally showcasing the E28 5-Series tuned cars- I thought they were absolutely stunning, but I don’t know how many made it to the US or how many exist today. Great episode…much rarer than an ALPINA..!

[@1983dmd]

Agree, but Alpina has a greater racing history in their beginnings,no?

[@garethshaw5165]

That is absolutely beautiful. I’d never heard or Hartge before. The first BMW I ever sat in was a E34 525i when I was 7, my dad always wanted one and we went to view one, for whatever reason he didn’t buy it and I remember nearly crying. I felt like a king in the back of that car on the test drive. My dad passed away when I was 9 and I put a matchbox bmw 5 series in his coffin. So the E34 will always be special to me. I’ve owned two E60 5 series and lived out his dream and mine. I hope the chap never sells it because it holds so much special memories with him and his dad it’s a family air loom in my opinion. Great episode

[@iansmith7871]

Loved this. Get Walter on more often, he's gold.

[@walterchrobok3114]

Too kind 😊

[@norfolkronin6307]

Rare youll find the complete package on every level in an owner and his car. A real genuinely deserved emotional connection of depth for a change. For what is just a car at the end of the day. And a deserved little future lottery win of a buisness deal. Which touches the generation before, now and for the future in this guys family. I know one thing. His father will be flying about up there in his 'concorde'. Looking down on his son with pride. Well cool episode.

[@Isthatyoudermot]

Walter needs to be involved in this cars recomissioning. We need a video series on it too.

[@walterchrobok3114]

😮😂😊

[@johngregory5280]

You've made a lot of great videos Jonny but this is right up there. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Walter's reaction is priceless and I really feel for him. The pure passion is what makes these old cars such emotional and evocative treasures.

[@DaveBoyd-c2s]

Lovely car but eldest son's first car!! Good luck trying to get that insured

[@BRMCaptChaos]

I love my kids too, but if they bent that one, they'd never forgive themselves.

[@skylined5534]

Classic insurance with limited mileage policy. Cheaper than you think. I still wouldn't dare let them though 😂

[@axe2grind244]

Lol in the US thats $50 a month to insure, and probably $100 a month for a teen.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

I had a Racing Dynamics E34 535i with all the bits on. For me the E34 was the last of the proper ones.

[@walterchrobok3114]

Agree

[@WEZ4136]

That was an awesome video Johnny, a friends dad had a Hartge H5S back in the early 90s, it was actually one of the first BMW’s I’d actually seen, he purchased off a work colleague, he had it for a year or two and sold it on as the same guy that sold him it was selling his AC variant and he had always fancied it a bit more. I love videos like this as it does justice to a beautifully engineered beast that not many people knew about, I read about this very car in total bmw magazine, a back issue I may add, in around 2011 ish after I had an accident in my 328i Msport and replaced it with an E39 535i. Sadly lost all my mags in a house fire as I kept some of the more stand out issues same with performance bmw too. Love the passion that he has for the car and the story behind it, I really hope we get to see this beauty back on the roads again, thanks to all involved as I’d actually forgotten about that part of life and the beautiful cars that I’d seen. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@01tasker01]

That was like a 5 year old meeting santa for the first time You absolutely made him speechless, loved it I bet he asked if he could buy it after the filming stopped about 20 times

[@andyreynolds6194]

What a class video, you can tell Matt truly cherishes his exceptionally rare car and that it really MEANS something to him and his family. So nice to see a down to earth bloke owning such a rare car instead of a hedge fund manager or retired company CEO. I hope he takes it out for a spin with his family every now and again though - keep those seals lubricated and in order.

[@tunwellengineering733]

Another great video, my parents had a mint white’ 89 525, basically needed the aftermarket alarm removed, they bought a 307 to replace it and my mate bought it for £200, different times.

[@slacko1971]

That "aftermarket" alarm was probably dealer fitted I worked at a dealer when these were released and they didn't come with alarms as standard. If memory serves we used to fit Scorpion alarms. The only factory security they had was a code you could program into the OBC They also had a design flaw in the door locks along with the E32's which meant they were incredibly easy to break into even when deadlocked as many of the local tea leafs discovered. I have fitted countless head units into these. Great cars.

[@ehshezah]

The best car on this show so far! What a unicorn and an absolute beauty of a car! Respect to the owner. A petrol head and a gentleman

[@01FozzyS]

Amazing find. I remember reading about Hartge on maybe Road & Track back in the day.

[@TheCinderellaman10]

My big bro had a white E30 323i stroked to a 2.5, headwork, Straight piped, and spat flames. It was modified and tuned by Hartge. Gorgeous it was

[@humblepie9373]

Fantastic find .. what a beauty! Could we have a revisit on the day he gives his 17yr kid a 100k ..1 of only 5 bmw ?

[@jonlee580]

I remember there was a legend of a M3 Hartge ftom 90s.. E46 M3 with the M5 v8.. Bmw brought me and my dad together also.. We have over 5 but nothing super rare..we own BMWs from 90s till today . Once u drive a BMW u never go back.

[@christaylor4946]

The E34 has aged so so well. Had a dark green 525i model car as a kid, loved that thing

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

My friend bought a 525i manual in green as a cheap winter hack. It was £500 in 2004...

[@martinmagee6611]

Fantastic episode - love the rarity, but even more, the passion of the owner.

[@albertperks3476]

That era of BMW 6cyl. Engine were just sublime - they sounded and felt like they had been hewn from granite.

[@e28forever30]

The M30, the “big six”, made from 1968 to 1990 ( correct me if I’m wrong) One hell of an engine.

[@slacko1971]

I always love the little ring the starter makes when they fire, nothing else sounds like it.

[@MrCRAIGJSTEVENS]

Great to see walter again. I bought a 2005 bmw X5 from him years ago and his stories were great, as was his garage!

[@markmanderson]

it sounds utterly amazing :D that generation of 5 series were always so pretty.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Agree. Handsome and simple 3 box saloon

[@markforrester3385]

I was amazed when you started off this episode by saying not many people have heard of BMW tuner HARTGE. As I remembered them well! I remember helping out on a stand at a car show at Earls Court in the 90’s. Not the regular car show though. I think it was called the Performance Tuner Show, and HARTGE had a stand there. I much preferred them to the more common Alpinas and AC Schnitzers! 😂 I came away with a brochure from them, which I think I may still have some where! I can’t remember for sure, but I think they had a full converted white 5 series on their stand too. I wonder if it was this car? I also remember HARTGE being featured in Fast Lane magazine. Which was the predecessor to Performance Car and today’s EVO magazine. Thank you for sharing this special car with us.

[@alextripp1230]

Hi Jonny, what a find, wow so rare and looking just fantastic. Great guy, who knows what he has and has cherished it. Started on the button, sounded bang on..!! Great video guys... Alex.

[@superfast30]

The strut brace is stunning! The look on Walters face when he laid eyes on the strut brace and cam cover was priceless LOL. You can tell his was thinking "I can't believe it"! I had the same look when I saw the cam cover on a BMW M1 Procar. It's the only time I've ever seen BMW M division do the word Motorsport in calligraphy!

[@ChrisGallighan]

Jst walters face never seen someone in so awe smashed it yet again Jonny ❤❤❤❤

[@walterchrobok3114]

😊

[@dimitristamatakis2431]

I'm not going to lie, I got emotional seeing this and Matt's story. Thx for showing us this beauty. Really looking forward to seeing it drive.

[@beachamgroup2482]

You've done it again Jonny.

[@Smoovindecat]

It’s such a pleasure to watch such genuine reactions from Walter it’s brilliant. I get it.

[@muthaflaco75]

Nice iconic car. The Buell is cool as well

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Jonny likes Buells too.

[@nikonordman7624]

Also noticed it myself

[@richardkay1587]

Bloody brilliant episode! That era of BMW is my favourite era. I love the E30 and E34. I remember seeing Harge referenced in magazines I read at the time, (Total BMW, BMW Car to name a couple), so to see this car is an absolute treat! Walter's reactions are brilliant, and I would imagine mine being similar if I were ever to see this car in the flesh. A fantastic example that needs to be enjoyed, and not hidden away, although I do understand why it's been tucked away for so long. Thanks to Jonny and the team, and the owner for allowing us to enjoy that! EPIC!!!

[@welshy8216]

Lovely car & motorbikes. But the worst Raleigh Burner ever made, Hanging on the wall. The re-pop Curry one 😂😂

[@seanausten758]

What a beautiful vehicle. This was a combination of ‘Barn Find’ and ‘Car Cave’. I really hope he gets this car back on the road and starts to enjoy using it, in honour of his dad.

[@kevindawson9270]

Worth it as much for Walter's love/envy as for the car itself! Poor lad...

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Simultaneous visual arousal and pain...

[@kevindawson9270]

@@TheLateBrakeShow His reaction to the words "short shift kit"? Lovely!

[@seanadams8504]

This is stunning car I do remember these very well. Always been a fan of the older BMW's . Thanks for sharing with us. Great content.

[@rajkohli81]

Johnny seems a little bit scared of Matt throughout this episode, right from the first scene where it looks like he's got a concealed weapon in his pocket :)

[@walterchrobok3114]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@dazsboxofwater]

What a car , what a guy , lovely find , thanks for letting it be viewed 🙏🏼

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Hartger is one of those BMW tuners that went into the dust in the 1995!! Very important car to have found!!

[@e28forever30]

Que?

[@nicholaswatson3896]

Would love to see more 'not strictly' barn finds like this Jonny and Walters reaction was priceless.

[@sidbobby3233]

Be nice too see Walters collection...

[@marksmith762]

A friend of mine has an old E registered BMW M5 track day car with a Ric Wood engine in it. I’ve been round Oulton park a few times in it. That’s a real weapon as it’s stripped out with race seats and a roll cage. This car is a real unicorn car. It’s only the second Hartge car I’ve ever seen. Stunning

[@stevel1973]

Jonny, you need to call these episodes "Unicorn Editions"

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Great idea. There's been a few!

[@garyseaton4619]

I've never heard of HARTGE but will certainly look for more information. Not a barn find, as you said, but certainly a priceless jewel in the automotive world. Matt, thank you for sharing your truly rare and outstanding vehicle with us. Your oldest son will be a lucky chap when he gets this from you... All the best to you and yours...

[@271chrissy]

Walters face.....love deep love.

[@walterchrobok3114]

100% 😊

[@271chrissy]

@@walterchrobok3114 What a machine that BMW is.

[@ches74]

I had a former Birds show E34 Hartge 535i. Delphin grey. Wheels, brakes, LSD, suspension, high lift cams, ECU. Dyno recorded 237bhp. Sold it a few years back to a Polish guy who planned to fully restore it.

[@stephenport4768]

Cut my teeth on them as an apprentice in the BMW dealer network. The E34 being the best generation of 5 series they ever made absolute bulletproof reliability

[@BullyBoxer]

Nah I owned , bought and sold both, and I believe the E 28 was the hardest wearing of them all.

[@stephenport4768]

@@BullyBoxer Good point the E28's weren't that bad also

[@badwolf4058]

You've been spoiling us with BMWs lately; this is just gorgeous - the provenance, supporting paperwork and its condition. G G Steele are not far from me, too, which just adds to the video.