Description:

To be sold at the 14th September Bonhams Goodwood Revival Sale

Estimate: £30,000 - £40,000

Chassis no. 986060

*Original 1800 TI upgraded to TA/SA specification
*European Championship winner 1992
*Goodwood Revival St Mary's Trophy competitor
*Engine and transmission rebuilt in 2018

BMW 1800 TI/SA 'homologation specials' were campaigned successfully by the works team in the mid-1960s, most notably by Hubert Hahne and Rauno Aaltonen. The TI/SA was based on the 1800 TI (Turismo Internationale). Built to meet the then current touring car race regulations, the limited edition 1800TI/SA (Sonderausführung – special edition) came with a 130bhp engine (20bhp more powerful than that of the stock 1800 TI) incorporating a counter-weighted crankshaft, larger valves, 10.5:1 compression ratio, competition camshaft, and two twin-choke Weber carburettors. There was also a five-speed gearbox, the latter relatively rare on road cars at the time, while the running gear was up-rated appropriately to cope with the increased performance. 

Intended to raise BMW's international sporting profile, the 1800 TI/SA succeeded brilliantly; Hubert Hahne won the German national championship in 1964 and with co-driver Rauno Aaltonen disputed the lead of the Spa 24-Hour race with a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE, eventually finishing 2nd. BMW went one better the following year when Pascal Ickx and Gerald Langlois' 1800 TI/SA secured the first of the Munich manufacturer's string of victories in this prestigious event. Only 200 genuine factory-built TI/SAs were made, most of which are either in private ownership or German museums. 

An 1800 TI upgraded to TI/SA specification, the car offered here was restored in 1987 and has raced in FIA events since 1992. It has competed in various championships, winning the European Championship in 1992 and finishing 5th overall in 2003. 

The current owner, since February 2013, international best-selling crime novelist, Peter James, has raced the car to numerous top-three class finishes in the U2TC and Masters series. The car has also competed successfully in the Goodwood Revival's St Mary's Trophy. In 2013, co-driven by the owner and also by Touring Car legend Steve Soper who finished 5th, they came 10th place overall. Other drivers include media/TV presenter Amanda Stretton, multi championship-winner Paul Taft, and U2TC and Masters regular Alan Letts. 

Throughout the current ownership the car has been maintained with no expense spared by classic BMW specialists Laranca Engineering. Only one race has been completed (at the 2018 Silverstone Classic) since the engine was rebuilt in June of that year, and only two races since the transmission was overhauled. Offered with FIA HTP valid until 2028, this car represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a TI/SA-specification BMW competition saloon of proven competitiveness and an entry into renowned series' such as the HSCC Historic Touring Car Championship & Motor Racing Legends U2TC.

Please contact the Bonhams Motor Car Department for further information on 020 7468 8242.

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