MODERN CLASSICS
REVIEW
How the original M3 changed the game
We often get over excited these days when the term ‘homologation special’ is uttered even though it doesn’t tend to mean what it once did.
The era of the flame-spitting, barely tamed racers for the road has long gone; neutered by modern safety and driver aids.
In the mid-Eighties a race car for the road came pretty close to matching the hype – when what differentiated a maker’s racing version was an extra 100bhp, a roll cage and a fire extinguisher, you didn’t need too much of an imagination. When road cars were so much closer to their motorsport siblings it was inevitable that the excitement levels reached from behind the wheel were comparatively higher. That’s just one of the reasons why the homologation machines from the Eighties are some of the most rapidly appreciating out there.
The original BMW M3 was introduced to counter the new threat from the 190. Mercedes-Benz’s new compact contender would take the famous three-pointed star back to the racetracks for the first time since the 1955 Le Mans disaster. The first factory-backed competitor in nearly 30 years wasn’t going to be half-arsed, but the end result came as a shock to BMW nonetheless. It knew it had a real circuit competitor just down the road that could upset BMW’s hard-fought racing prowess. The German DTM touring car championship was to be the battle ground and the baby Benz and the M3 would go tyre to tyre throughout the Eighties, with the BMW proving the ultimate winner.
This stunning example is a 1988 Evolution II M3, on offer at the Silverstone Classic (silverstoneauctions. com). Power for this M3 was up to 220bhp thanks to high-comp pistons, a lightened flywheel and revised engine management. If you’re timid, you won’t get what all the fuss is about, but take it out to ten tenths and it’ll all fall into place.
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Darren Letts, Northamptonshire Darren’s spent a frankly silly amount of time and money on his stunning SW20 MR2.
Mike Stanley, London Phoenix MX-5s like Mike’s got posh heated seats, plus custom paint and wheels.
Bill Parker, United Kingdom If you want to play Petter Solberg, Bill has the car for you. He’s had it for eight years, too.
So many cars here that we would all love to have on our drives. Call us to discuss your requirements, so we can help turn your modern classic dream into a reality.
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