MODEL HISTORY
The BMW M3 DTM was not only iconic but also very successful. It was first deployed in DTM in 1987 as a successor to the M635CSi. It was not a purely factory deployment as BMW Motorsport developed the car and sold it to private teams with various types of factory support. All factory bodies were created by the French company Matter and were sold in the form of a kit for completion, including all other components of the car. Initially, a modified 2.3L S14 unit was used, however, using the homologation specials of the civilian version under the designation Evolution I, Evolution II and Sport Evolution, the original car was modified, while the last mentioned version brought a 2.5L power unit. Cars with 2.3L engine achieved outputs around 300 hp, 2.5L made about 340 hp. The limiter moved from initial 8,400 rpm to 9,300 rpm. Due to the circuit use, the car had huge six-piston front brakes, while the rear four-piston brakes had quite standard dimensions. The Getrag transmission originated in the civilian version. What was worked on considerably was the weight of the car - it reached a value of 940 kg. Among other things, the aluminum cases of the rear differential were used on the car.
The very first season of 1987 brought success to the car. Renato Ravaglia became world champion in the touring car series, while Eric van de Poele became DTM champion. It must be admitted that both happened ever so slightly ahead of the oncoming Ford Sierra, which could start that year with their evolution of the RS500. However, the victory of Wiltfried Vogt in the European Touring Car Championship was not so close, moreover, Altfried Heger secured his back from the second position.
BMW's colors with the M3 E30 have been defended by several teams, namely Zakspeed, Schnitzer, Bigazzi and Linder. This generation of cars defended the brand's honor until 1992, when BMW left the DTM due to new regulations and steeply rising costs. BMW have deployed a successor E36 in 1993, but did not fully return to the DTM until many years later.
OUR CAR
This uniquely preserved car, which still has the original BMW Motorsport serial numbers on all components, managed to win two DTM races in the hands of Steve Soper in the last season of 1992 and thus plays a significant role in the history of the golden first era of the DTM.
The car was subsequently operated in DTM in 1993 and 1994 by Josef Venc in the colors of its main sponsor Kaučuk Kralupy. After that, the car spent many years in deposit in the Czech Republic. This also explains its unique origins. Apart from the front fenders, the car is completely period and the BMW Museum was also interested in it for their collections. From there, it was acquired by the important collector of racing cars Florent Moulin. Our company acquired the car from him in 2013, so, after many years, the car returned to the Czech Republic.
In 2013, the previous owner of the car organized a commemorative event at BMW Motorsport, which was attended by almost all of the important people around the car, who had something to do with the Bigazzi team in those years, including Steve Soper. They all left their messages on the car for future generations. Since the two essential people are no longer with us (Paul Rosche and Karl Heinz Kalbfell), this car has definitely become a part of the history of BMW Motorsport.
The sister car of the 1992 season, driven by Bigazzi's second driver, Emmanuele Pirro, is now privately held by a collector in New Zealand.
The car is fully functional and was last tested in a race in 2015 at the Hockenheimring.
