Galloping Gertie's Garage

06/12/2026

It's looking like a great weekend - get out there and enjoy!

06/11/2026

Got a classic European vehicle that needs some attention? Look no further than Gertie's!

05/27/2026

Ignition in BMW's S52.

The second generation BMW M3, known as the E36 M3, is revered for its legendary handling, but I would argue its biggest 'wow' is under the hood: the high-revving S52 inline-six engine. While this engine's 7,000 RPM factory rev limit isn't as totally ground-breaking today, it was remarkably high for a 1990s street engine, pushing internal components to new limits. I always said: these cars are race-cars built for the streets.

To sustain those engine speeds in an engine design that boasted a 24-valve cylinder head, 10.5:1 compression, and VANOS variable valve timing, a traditional ignition distributor simply could not fire the spark plugs reliably. Although Nissan first used Coil-on-Plug (COP) tech in 1985, BMW and Bosch brought it mainstream to handle advanced power plants like the S52.

By mounting individual coils directly over each plug, the system punches 30,000+ volts exactly when needed. The multi-ground Bosch electrodes pictured here are a direct byproduct of that leap, engineered with four ground straps to provide alternative pathways when the metal surfaces inevitably accumulate the yellowish ash deposits seen on these tips.

Want the deep dive into the engineering history behind these plugs? Read the full breakdown on our blog here!:

More Gig Harbor BMW owners are choosing independent European specialists over dealership service — better pricing, faster turnaround, and dealer-level diagnostics without the dealer-level markup.

05/25/2026

interesting problem:

Over 12 million classic cars worth $570 billion is heading into American inheritances over the next 15 years

05/19/2026

Did you know that Gertie's has quietly become the preferred Jaguar specialist in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area? If you own one of these beauties and need some help check us out sometime; your Jag will love it!

05/12/2026

I couldn't resist capturing a picture of this beautiful Alfa Romeo Stelvio this morning - looks great in red!

"Stelvio" refers primarily to the iconic Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) in Northern Italy, the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, known for its 48 hairpin turns. It is a pre-Roman word meaning "field" or "land," and is now a famous cultural, geographic, and automotive synonym for dramatic mountain driving and scenery.

05/11/2026

It's not the "Dog Days of Summer" yet... But it's coming and your convertible needs to be ready for you and your best friend. Call us up - we'll get your convertible in tip-top shape!

The "dog days of summer" refer to the hottest, most sweltering weeks of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this period is traditionally observed from July 3 to August 11.
Contrary to popular belief, the name does not come from dogs lazing in the heat, but from astronomy.

Origin and Meaning:
The "Dog Star": The term originates from the ancient Greeks and Romans, who noticed that Sirius (the brightest star in the sky and part of the constellation Canis Major, the "Greater Dog") rose with the sun during this time of year.

Added Heat:
Ancient civilizations believed that the brilliance of Sirius, often called the "Dog Star," actually added to the sun’s warmth, causing the intense "scorching" heat of midsummer.

Cultural Significance:
The Romans referred to this period as diēs caniculārēs (days of the dog star). For the ancient Egyptians, the rising of Sirius signaled the annual flooding of the Nile

05/11/2026

amazing- leave it to BMW to do something like this:

BMW's M division is introducing a new twin-ignition system called M Ignite to extend the life of its combustion engines.

05/08/2026

Imagine enjoying a summer cruise in a classic like this Jaguar E-Type convertible! We're honored to be part of the history of heirloom vehicles like this treasure we're currently servicing!

05/01/2026