Highlights
- Originally converted from an E21 323 road car for the BMW 323 Cup by Geoff Cook and further upgraded since
- Seriously competitive in saloon car racing
- Upgraded to a highly tuned 2,800cc M20b25 (E30) engine producing 238bhp
- Eligible for Classic & Sports Car Club Future Classic Series in the UK along with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club
- Comes with an extensive spares package
- Continually developed and maintained by the current owner for over twenty years
The Appeal
Historic motorsport has never been more popular. You only have to look at the scores of competitive series and the size of the grids all over Europe to see now's the time to buy a classic racing car. Building one of these vehicles to a stage they become competitive is by no means an easy task, so this 1979 BMW 323I offers a tantalising opportunity for those seeking a well-sorted car with a proven track record.
We've included the vendor's detailed account of the car's exact specifications below. But suffice it to say, this old 3 Series had received an enormous amount. of work over the years, undergoing constant development of its drivetrain and running gear to ensure it keeps up with the very quickest cars on the grid. Its E30-derived, high-tuned 2.5-litre engine makes 238bhp and 217ft/lb of torque - both seriously impressive in a car so light, nimble and well-set-up. The BMW is eligible for several desirable race series and is ready to use.
We've included the vendor's detailed account of the car's exact specifications below. But suffice it to say, this old 3 Series had received an enormous amount. of work over the years, undergoing constant development of its drivetrain and running gear to ensure it keeps up with the very quickest cars on the grid. Its E30-derived, high-tuned 2.5-litre engine makes 238bhp and 217ft/lb of torque - both seriously impressive in a car so light, nimble and well-set-up. The BMW is eligible for several desirable race series and is ready to use.
The History and Paperwork
- In current ownership since 2004
- Eligible for CSCC Modern Classics, CSCC Future classics, and Classic Touring Car Club Competition
- Not currently road registered
- 143,778 miles indicated
The Condition
- Presents well overall, with some wear as befits an historic racing car
- Meets scrutineering standards
- appropriate colour scheme
This car has been built to win races, not Concours. As such, it's all about shedding weight and not worrying about the odd bump or scratch - battle scars accrued during the most exciting moments of track time. That's as it should be in our view, and this BMW presents very well regardless of the patina it has picked up over time. As the photographs show, the interior is suitable paired back, complete with all the necessary equipment for competition and all in good visual order.
The Mechanics
- "No expense spared" attitude to maintenance
- Engine capacity of 2,800cc
- 5-speed gearbox with overdrive
- Gripper differential for enhanced traction
- Piper fast road cam and increased rev limit to 6,800 rpm
- Produces 238bhp and 217ft/lb of torque on a rolling road
- Custom struts with Leda coilovers on all four corners
- Poly bushes fitted all around for improved handling
- Front and rear strut braces enhance rigidity
- Beefed-up front and rear anti-roll bars for better cornering
The vendor tells us:
"Originally converted from an E21 323 road car for the BMW 323 Cup by Geoff Cook, the car underwent some more tuning from its next owner, who fitted a bespoke, lightweight flywheel which was machined from a single piece of high-grade Aluminium. This was paired with a new AP Racing clutch, meaning the car could rev-up and go through the gears as well as any other car in its class.
"In 2004 the car was bought by its current owner, who has carefully worked on and maintained this car for over 20 years while campaigning the car in several race series with successes to show for his labour. The car was first equipped with the original, M20b23 engine but with K Jetronic fuel injection, Mahle race pistons and a seriously “hot” Shrick cam, the car was no slouch, but lacked the peak power to compete at the front of its grid. The owner therefore uprated the engine to an E30 2500cc engine, known as the M20b25, with an E36 328 crank to stroke the displacement to 2,800cc. Pair that with an Emerald ECU, a 5-speed gearbox with overdrive, a Gripper differential, a Piper fast road cam and an increased rev limit to 6,800 rpm, the car now produces 238bhp and 217ft/lb of torque on a rolling road, more than enough to challenge at the front of its grid let alone its class.
"Originally converted from an E21 323 road car for the BMW 323 Cup by Geoff Cook, the car underwent some more tuning from its next owner, who fitted a bespoke, lightweight flywheel which was machined from a single piece of high-grade Aluminium. This was paired with a new AP Racing clutch, meaning the car could rev-up and go through the gears as well as any other car in its class.
"In 2004 the car was bought by its current owner, who has carefully worked on and maintained this car for over 20 years while campaigning the car in several race series with successes to show for his labour. The car was first equipped with the original, M20b23 engine but with K Jetronic fuel injection, Mahle race pistons and a seriously “hot” Shrick cam, the car was no slouch, but lacked the peak power to compete at the front of its grid. The owner therefore uprated the engine to an E30 2500cc engine, known as the M20b25, with an E36 328 crank to stroke the displacement to 2,800cc. Pair that with an Emerald ECU, a 5-speed gearbox with overdrive, a Gripper differential, a Piper fast road cam and an increased rev limit to 6,800 rpm, the car now produces 238bhp and 217ft/lb of torque on a rolling road, more than enough to challenge at the front of its grid let alone its class.
"The current owner has also spent an enormous amount of time developing the suspension and chassis to ensure that this E21 is the quickest it can be on track. To start, the front suspension runs custom struts with Leda coilovers on all four corners. Poly bushes have been fitted all round also, along with a front and rear strut brace to improve rigidity and agility on track. The front and rear anti-roll bars have been beefed up to cope with the cornering speeds, and the car remains eligible for Classic & Sports Car Club Future Classic Series in the UK along with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club."
The enormous collection of spares includes:
The enormous collection of spares includes:
- 2 spare alternators
- 1 spare starter motor
- 2 front brake disks
- 2 front suspension struts
- 1 steering rack
- 2 fully refurbished front callipers from Big Redd
- 1 set of pistons for front callipers also from Bigg Red
- 1 rear light lens
- 1 engine damper
- 2 spare water pumps
- 1 BMW limited slip diff fully raced prepped including casing
- 1 spare diff casing with some internals
- 1 spare BMW limited slip differential to fit in casing
- 1 rear bumper
- 1 complete set of glass for the car
- 1 set of part worn brake pads
- numerous hoses , jubilee clips etc
- clutch aligning tool
- spare bottom pulley bolt.
- 2 brand new temperature gauges
- 2 fire extinguisher/ electric cut off cables
- 1 sump gasket
- 1 Shrick cam (very high lift will give lots of power)
- 1 325 crank
- 2 jerry cans 1×10 1×20
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