Description
We are racing enthusiasts. Both my father and I have enjoyed countless racing outings over our shared time on this earth, and some of the most fun we have ever had on a race circuit is in the historic racing paddock. Despite having never competed in touring cars, or tin-tops as some people call them, we have always made the time at a race weekend to look at shapes from our childhoods belting around a racetrack! With that, we are pleased to be offering for sale this charming, but seriously competitive BMW E21 to market.
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 1984 the car was bought by its current owner, who has carefully worked on and maintained this car for 40 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.
To go with the immense engineering expertise worked into this capable race car, there is an enormous spares list which would support the car for a significant amount of track running.
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
The owner of this car has enjoyed the pleasure of developing his own racing car into a developed, honed and reliable machine. Having spent a couple of hours talking to him about his time developing his E21, I have no doubt there has been a “no expense spared” approach taken to running his car. Internally, all is in fantastic order with an immaculate engine bay and plenty of spare parts to accommodate a full season of racing.
We love motor racing, and we love the passion that running a race car requires. It is clear to me that this E21 has been cared for, and prepped to as high a standard as any other car out there. With eligibility into competitive race series such as CSCC Modern Classics, CSCC Future classics, and Classic Touring Car Club Competition, it is apparent that now is the time to buy a historic race car. As the grid sizes show, historic motorsport is blossoming at this time and due to this car’s rarity and immense capability, it cannot be overlooked as a properly competitive machine which is waiting to start the next chapter in its motor-racing story.
