Bimmer Invasion 2026
Performance Technic
Picture this: the year is 1922. The setting: Pomona, California. This region today is recognized as yet another link in the chain of Los Angeles’ sprawling stretch of cityscapes. In the early 1920s, however, it was almost entirely agricultural land blanketed with orange, lemon, and walnut orchards. Farmland and ag-centered operations were the center of commerce while the city nearby developed and expanded. When the greater city of Los Angeles decided to host the inaugural 1922 County Fair, the beginnings of the Pomona Fairplex were cemented.
Credit: Pomona Progress, October 17, 1922
Before you worry, this blog isn’t a history lesson on the city. Rather, this crash course on the Fairplex and its beginnings serves in stark contrast to the event this blog is actually about: Bimmer Invasion 2026. Just stick with us for a moment.
In the 1920s, the city of Pomona and by extension, the Fairplex, played host to county fairs, horse racing, and trade shows. The public roads were occupied by a combination of horseback riders, carts, wagons, and the fast emerging technology of the automobile.
During this time, roughly 47% of cars on the road were Ford Model Ts. (That’s, well, a lot.) Alternative technology, like steam powered vehicles, were dying down and failing to win over the public for more affordable, mass produced, gasoline powered passenger cars. Fast forward more than a century later, and the Fairplex is still buzzing; except now, it’s with some of the modern era’s most exciting enthusiast cars.
Bimmer Invasion 2026 brought thousands (yes, thousands) of BMWs to the Fairplex grounds. The venue served as the west coast’s offering of BMW culture, while the sister event was held in Palm Beach. Carefully curated across seven halls of the property, builds from all different generations, styles, and configurations were on proud display. With more than 70 vendors with corresponding booths and displays, there was truly something for everyone. Dinan, KW, BBS, IND Distribution, and even the official BMW Driving School made an appearance.
The event was tied together by the through line of a “passport program,” which entailed stamp collection at every booth in order to win prizes, and to get eyes on the many vendors. The stations truly didn’t need much extra incentive to visit though, as just about every booth had fantastic cars to peruse.
Generations prior, the Fairplex aisles and halls boasted the best the automotive, aviation, and locomotive trade shows had to offer. In 1922’s County Fair, more than 150 coupes, sedans, and touring cars lined the aisles for fair-goers to fawn over. I can’t help but wonder what the owners of those bygone Packards and Chryslers would think if they could see the caliber of machinery that filed into the fairground this year. From the “40 Years of M3” to the “The M Division” to the “Taste the Rainbow” exhibits, just about every flavor of enthusiast creativity was accounted for. Street sweeping show cars, fully functional race cars, old timers, and more all meshed together to create a tapestry of beautiful German engineering.
The indoor halls were thoughtfully constructed, with all themes as follows:
40 Years of M3: All M3s from the E30 through to the G80.
The M Division: Well, exactly what it sounds like—M cars.
Vintage Vault: All the best that the BMW elders have to offer.
Motorsport Legends: Race. Cars.
F8x vs. G8x: A comparison between the two generations of M2/3/4.
Taste the Rainbow: A vibrant display of any Individual color your heart could desire.
Ultimate Hall: A sort of “who’s who” of VIP and very carefully considered builds.
Outside, just about every free spot was occupied by something cool—a custom built “F81” wagon, G90s, a few BMW bikes, E38s, 2002s—the list goes on.
One of the most exciting elements of the show was actually quite personal for us as a shop. Anyone familiar with our social media or project history is likely to recognize two of the cars that were in attendance: longtime client Jason Smart’s E92 M3 and G87 M2. These builds are powerhouses in their own right, each reflective of Jason’s high standards and love of speed. It’s rather easy to see that “attention to detail” is Jason’s mantra through and through. Each of these builds demonstrates the perfect balance of clean aesthetic and raw power. MYMRUNS isn’t just a cheeky vanity plate, it’s direct assurance.
To add to the proud builder moment we had, we were thrilled to see Jason take home the Best E9X award.
The variety of builds in attendance felt quite well-rounded. No matter your vibe, preference, or affinity, there were likely at least a few cars there for you to spend some extra time loitering around. However, few topics seemed more divisive than the ongoing war of opinion regarding the the A90/A91 Supra. The heart of a BMW beats beneath the hood, but there was very much a subset of enthusiasts who felt torn about their prominence. It’s an interesting debate, but ultimately we think it does make sense; especially when the Bupra itself was in attendance.
At the end of the day, you’re bound to run into strong opinions when you’re immersed in a culture as loud, resourceful, and trendsetting as the BMW scene. However, one of the qualities that makes this culture so, well, opinionated, is the same quality that makes it so wonderful: the diversity. This year’s Los Angeles Bimmer Invasion was the culmination of countless hours of sweat, hustle, and passion that it takes to actually build something worthwhile.
Echoes of events from the Fairplex’s past still haunted the atmosphere, as attendees strolled through the same halls that displayed former innovations of the 20th century. The property, which makes little attempt to hide its age, turned out to be a complementary and convenient venue for this enormous show.
As we admired the best that Bimmer Invasion had to offer, we also couldn’t help but envision the Fords, Buicks, and Deusenbergs of yesteryear also lining these very same halls; now outdated and completely obsolete vehicles that once were the most exciting news of their day. It begged the question: where in history will the glitz and glamor of these cars we love today actually fall? As we stare down the barrel of autonomous technology and electric cars, is enthusiast culture enough to keep the love of these beloved autos alive?
Automotive history at times doesn’t really feel like history when it’s happening in real time. Yet, reflecting on the adrenaline-inducing machines we are able to build today compared to 100 years ago is a clear reminder that innovation sometimes takes the most expeditious road.
