Born in Britain on July 4, 1946, Jeremy David Walton has authored more than 25 automotive marque histories and biographies, selling more than 245,000 copies. His work has been translated into French, German, and Italian; he has also translated BMW books into English. An experienced motoring journalist and former racing driver (mostly in the sedan classes), Walton has worked as a staffer for Motor Sport, Motoring News, and Cars & Car Conversions. Contact with BMW came through Walton's avid interest in piston-engined fighter planes and his employment at Ford Motorsport in Germany. The Blue Oval struggled to beat BMW when key ex-Ford employees established BMW Motorsport more than 25 years ago, and Walton witnessed that confrontation first-hand.

Personal enthusiasm for BMW was sealed for Walton when he had the privelege of racing a 3.0-liter CS in the 1972 Belgian 24-hours at Spa-Francorchamps. The virtually standard coupe, shared with Peter Hanson, finished seventh overall, won its class and covered 2,516 miles at an average of 104.9 mph with no mechanical maladies. Walton currently resides in the UK with his wife Marilyn and his adopted BMW 635CSi.

I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Jeremy Walton some questions.

Why do you feel attracted to BMW?

Ownership of BMWs past and present, racing experiences [especially Spa 24 hours] and 30 years interest as hobby/professional. I thought there was something about BMW character that was different to rest, even in Germany where they made some of the best cars in the World.

Why was en is so few written about BMW?

Now there are more BMW books, but in the first place it was because English speaking authors [with three exceptions] could not speak German. So could not copy facts!

How many BMW books have you written?

I have written or translated eight BMW titles. The ones selling best are:

- Unbeatable BMW 1997 edition-Robert Bentley Inc, USA
- BMW 6 Series 1998 edition--RBi " USA
- BMW 3 Series [to E30] Motor Racing Publications [MRP] UK 1993 edition
- BMW Classics 1993 multiple editions to 1997, Osprey UK & Stacpoole USA
Non-BMW current: Britain's Winning Formula, a 1999 study of UK race industry with Henley Management college. Macmillan UK

Are you working on a new BMW book?

I am currently working a BMW 3 Series book, E21 to E46 with RBi-USA. Publication will [earliest] 10/2000 to 12/2000 latest.

How and why became ‘Unbeatable’ BMW (edition 1979) such a cult book in the USA?

Through the BMW CCA club members and masgazine, Roundel. They persistently
recommended book to readers/each other, even when long out of print.

Which BMWs did and do you own?

In the [1979-80] past E12/528 carburettor model and in the present [1997-2000] E24/ 635 CSi. This car has 104,000 miles, Cosmos colour, blue leather Recaros [right drive] interior and orginal specificsation. It was bought with damaged camshaft [lubrication] and rusted-out wings. Over two years and past 20,000 miles it has been restored. Rust is biggest problem, but it is such a handsome car, and so useful on long motorway journeys at speed that I have kept it beyond expectation. I should have sold at close of 1998 and bought a 3 Series for current project, and that is still something I expect to do...

Are you a member of a BMW club?

I am a member of BMW CCA USA [also a race member] and of BMW MPower club,
UK . I am also a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers in UK

There is a lot of criticism of BMW design and styling nowadays, specially in Germany. The 3, 5 and 7 series are too much of the same kind. They are only different in size. De new Z8 design is too ‘retro’. Do you agree?

I am a fan of E46 style, but always when there is a new BMW I don't like it for 6-10 months then get used to it and then like it!. My current favorite is E46/328i coupe and then 5 Series, particularly M5, which I have just been driving ...
WOW! What a fantastic driving machine!
Of the rest of the range, I never liked 850 from intro --yet people say Wolfgang Reitzle is a genius!!-- and I am never sure 7 Series should exist. The Merc S--Klasse is usually better all round and the 7 never seems any better than a good 5...
Z8? Not for me, but I watched motor show crowds and they likedit. Good image builder, byut I hope they don't have aero-instability problems like Audi TT at German speeds!

Were BMW right in buying the Rover Group?

No. Only valid if they had stripped it out to brand names and sold in niches:
- Range Rover [all 4 models]
- MG--affordable sports car, sold in USA too
- Triumph--Good brand
- Austin Healey--Good brand, especially V8/ six new version
- Mini--Hate it, but valid Japan, USA and Europe/UK

Mr. Piëch thinks big: V16 and W18 engines. Mercedes has plans for a new Maybach. BMW have built a V16 (‘Goldfish’). Should BMW bring a V16 to the market?

If BMW aren't careful on Rover Herr Piech of VW will buy them out. I think Piech is a genius--NOT Reitzle--and enjoyed interviewing him during Audi quattro years-- but I hate really Big Engine cars for today. Too wasteful, too flagrante. Don't want to see bigger BMWs, want to see the best smaller [5 and below] sedans, coupes, convertibles and hatches on planet.

Which is your favourite BMW?

Favorite alltime: BMW 3.0 CS/CSi of the 1971-72 eras.
Favorite today: BMW M5 [dream-on]. Practical=E46/328i

(c) Bram Visser
January 2000.

ALGEMEEN