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M3 Chassis # M3 1 / 73. Ordered by works outfit and BMW legends Schnitzer, #73 was built in 1988 and according to the Gp A M3 “bible” with the most tuetonic name possible: M3 17.970 EMOTIONS (Say it with a German accent. So good.) Chassis #’s 70, 106 and 73 were utilised for the 1988 ETCC, with chassis #99 as a spare. Using race numbers 56, 57 and 58, Schnitzer duly won the coveted ETCC, along with the iconic Spa 24Hr. It certainly was a great year for Charlie and the lads from Bavaria and if any fellow BMW enthusiasts can show me which M3 chassis did what, that would be much appreciated! 

In late 1988, #73 was sold to the enigmatic Japanese industrial tycoon Mr. Ricky Chiba. Chiba-san’s Taisan racing team has now raced the globe, with a Le Mans 24Hr GT win amongst his many achievements. However, what Taisan is perhaps most fondly known for, is the bonkers mid 90’s JGTC era, where he fronted with 2 x F40 Ferrari’s, a 962 Porsche, 993 and 964 RSR’s, 993 GT2 and of course our M3 #73, still in original Group A guise running around at the back of the field. It was not uncommon for Chiba-san to run at least 3 cars in a single race. The most I have seen is 5… Yup, Chiba-san is a cool kind of crazy. Wearing race number 26 and sporting the attractive Taisan / Advan black and red livery, chassis #73 hit the ground running in 1988, with a stunning 3rd outright and 1st in JTCC-2 at Japan’s most prestigious touring car event the Inter-TEC 500 at Mt Fuji Raceway. With 6 to 9 rounds per JTCC Gp A season, M3 #73 managed to run in the front pack of the JTCC-2 field (Read M3’s) for 5 consecutive seasons. Pretty impressive stuff. In that period she achieved the following noteworthy results in JTCC-2:

1988: 1st in JTCC-2 at the Inter-TEC 500.
1989: Championship title and 1st in JTCC-2 at the Inter-TEC 500.
1990: 2nd in the championship and 1st in the JTCC-2 at the Inter-TEC 500.
1993: 1st at the Inter-TEC 500, being the last JTCC and FIA sanctioned Gp A race.

Throughout this long Group A career #73 was given all the latest homologated EVO tricks that BMW learned, mostly from their hard charging Group A DTM cousins. 1993 was the end of Group A in the JTCC, so M3 1 / 73 was retired to Chiba-sans famous car collection (The one with the F40 stuck to the roof.) in 1995 the booming JGTC (Japan Grand Touring Car Championship) allowed Gp A cars into its lesser category and #73 can be seen at the odd meeting, scampering around the back, battling with other old Gp A cars and the odd Lambo’. With that novelty worn off #73 went back to Chiba-sans collection again, where she sat until I happened upon an opportunity to visit the famous collection in 2012. It was a mind-blowing experience and one I am very grateful for; thank you Ricky.

In 2014 a deal was agreed upon and with the help of my very special friends in Japan, #73 was on its way to Australia, with new owner Mr David Harris. David started the process of a complete mechanical overhaul as like myself, he enjoyed #73’s patina and the story it tells. Unfortunately, Mr Harris passed away before his time and now #73 is looking for a new home, that can appreciate this cars charm and speed, while benefiting from David’s labour of love, in getting her so close to running at the front of the pack again.  If you are a discerning individual, wanting to race something very competitive in Historic Group A, this car will do nicely. The fact that #73 may have a fascinating 1988 ETCC history, is hopefully a sweet bonus.  

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