1987 BMW E30 M3 WTCC - BMW Motorsport Chassis #1

There is no M3 more iconic than the E30. Others have come close but the E30 is the absolute pinnacle. It was the very first BMW 3 Series to wear the M3 badge and it has unquestionably reached legend status in the automotive world.

When it was introduced in 1986, it was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the famous Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) and Group A Touring rules, which required a minimum of 5,000 cars to be built. However when BMW presented the car to the general public at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, the response was overwhelmingly positive and BMW ended up manufacturing the car in much higher numbers than was intended. And now, 38 years later, the E30 M3 is still one of the most iconic cars ever to wear the BMW badge.

It was 1987 when the FIA launched the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) open to touring cars complying with Group A regulations. Amongst the 15 registered entries were BMW M3 E30s from Schnitzer (Ivan Capelli, Roberto Ravaglia, Roland Ratzenberger, Emanuele Pirro, Markus Oestreich, Dieter Quester), Bigazzi (Luis Prez-Sala, Olivier Grouillard, Winfried Vogt, Markus Oestreich, Altfrid Heger) and CiBiEmme Sport (Riccardo Patrese, Johnny Cecotto, Gianfranco Brancatelli, Mauro Baldi)

This particular example is chassis #1 from BMW Motorsport GmbH and is without question one of the greatest touring cars to come out of Munich: the original 1987 WTCC BMW E30 M3 of CiBiEmme Sport.

The BMW is presented in its livery from Bathurst where it was the leading registered World Touring Car Championship entry and its seventh outright, driven by Johnny Cecotto and Gianfranco Brancatelli. Arguably the car’s most famous driver, Brancatelli is a renowned Italian racing driver whose brilliant career spanned various disciplines of motorsport: from touring car racing in the WTCC, BTCC and Italian Superturismo, to endurance racing at the 24hr of Le Mans.

Johnny Cecotto’s career is equally as distinguished, rising to prominence as a teenage prodigy when he became the youngest motorcycle road racing world champion at the age of only 19. But it was on four wheels that Cecotto and BMW formed a strong bond – so much so, the marque released a limited edition E30 M3 Johnny Cecotto Edition in 1990.

Suffice to say, this car has had some of the world’s most famous drivers behind the wheel. Other pilots of the M3 include Riccardo Patrese, Allan Grice, Paul Radisich, Ludwig Finauer, Brett Riley, Denny Hulme and Craig Baird, with the car taking victories all over the world (Italy, France, Australia and New Zealand). During its final years of professional racing in New Zealand, the car finished in second place in both the 1989 and 1990 Group A Racing Series and first place in the 1991 NZ Touring Car Championship.

At the heart of the M3 we find the strong S14 DOHC inline-four engine, the 2.3L power unit before the 2.5L was introduced a few years later. Derived from the six-cylinder M10 engine with a split four-valve cylinder head, it pushes out 300hp at 8200rpm, mated to a manual gearbox with dogleg transmission and limited slip differential.

Inside the cabin it is all business with the suede OMP steering wheel, Racetech seat, full complement of VDO gauges, five-point TRS harness and roll cage. The signatures of Gianfranco Brancatelli and Brett Riley adorn the centre tunnel and dash. Clear evidence of a long racing career filled with many victories and historical relevance.

Complete Racing History

1987 WTCC:

• Monza - 1st (then Dsq.)
• Jarama - 6th
• Dijon - 1st
• Nürburgring - Ret.
• Spa - Ret.
• Brno - 5th
• Silverstone - Ret.
• Bathurst - 1st
• Calder - 4th
• Wellington - Ret.
• Fuji - 5th

NZ Racing History:

- 1987: Pukekohe Park Raceway - 1st place
- 1988: Nissan Mobil 500 Wellington
- 1989: NZ Group A Touring Car Championship (2nd place in Championship), Nissan Mobil 500 Wellington, Nissan Mobil 500 Pukekohe
- 1990: NZ Group A Touring Car Championship (2nd place in Championship), Nissan Mobil 500 Wellington, Nissan Mobil 500 Pukekohe
- 1991: NZ Touring Car Championship, 1st place in Championship

Cars of this calibre are rarely offered for sale. This 1987 WTCC BMW E30 M3, driven by the legendary duo of Brancatelli and Cecotto, presents a truly exceptional opportunity for a discerning buyer to add this incredibly rare car to an existing motorsport collection. With its illustrious winning legacy and captivating racing history, the M3 holds immense allure and commands attention in the automotive world. Representing the pinnacle of BMW's engineering prowess and performance, this BMW E30 M3 offers a rare chance to own a prized piece of motorsport heritage making it a highly coveted addition to any esteemed collection.

The M3 is currently located in Auckland, New Zealand and offered at a very competitive reserve price considering its history and provenance. A spares package will be included with the sale and the owner is willing to assist with shipping to Australia or another international destination. This is truly a remarkable car that is reluctantly offered for sale and ready for its next discerning custodian to enjoy.