Description:

1981 BMW (E24) 635 CSI - Group 5 Race Prepared

KEY FACTS

• This E24-generation BMW 635 CSi is a charismatic and desirable modern classic grand tourer, which was transformed in the late 1990s into an eye-catching and highly competitive Group 5 racing car, and benefits from a recent ground-up restoration. 
• Under the bonnet sits a turbocharged 4.9-litre original Alpina B7/2 straight-six with a KKK turbocharger, delivering over 450bhp to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential manual transmission.
• This example is understood to have spent much of its early life in Italy where it was originally owned by Moreschi Motorsport, before it was sold to a Tuscan collector in 2008, and it is now located in the UK, where it has been with the seller for four years. 
• This E24-era 635 CSi was transformed into a Group 5 racing car in 1992 by Moreschi Motorsport with the car ready to compete in the 1994 season, where it debuted at the Circuit of Rastellino achieving second in its class. 
• It went on to compete in the 1994 Varano Challenge Club season where it achieved first overall, followed by its first hill climb event in August 1997 at the Alpe del Nevegal where it took first in its class and second overall. 
• It later competed in three hill climb events in 2007 at the Camucia-Cortona, Caprino-Splazzi and Bologna-Raticosa, and it achieved first place in the ‘silhouette’ class at all three events.
• It competed at the Chianti Classico Cup hill climb in 2015, and was prepared to compete in the Nave-Caino-Sant’Eusebio hill climb in 2019 but the event was cancelled.   
• The car was purchased by an ex GT3 Ascari driver in 2021 and has since undergone a ground-up restoration at Geoff Steel Motorsport, before returning to circuit racing for the 2022 season, and it has since competed in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club and the Silverstone Festival where it took class pole position. 

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• The Alpina B7/2 4.9-litre turbo engine that has been installed in the car was originally built and developed by the Scuderia Merzario F1 team under the instruction of legendary F1 driver Arturo Merzario to put into a BMW 635 Group 5 race car but the project was never completed. Arturo Merzario then sold the engine to Moreschi Motorsport at the end of 1991.
• This example is finished in a timeless shade of silver with contrasting red accents, white number 71 racing roundels on the doors, and various sponsorship and event decals, over a stripped-out black cabin, featuring a black cloth-trimmed Sparco bucket seat, and a red roll cage. 
• It rides on a set of 17x10-inch front and 17x12-inch rear seven-spoke split-rim alloy wheels finished in gold with polished barrels, framing AP Racing brake callipers and fitted with Goodyear tyres. (3 sets, including new wet weather tyres)
• Equipment includes kill switches, a fibreglass louvred bonnet, fibreglass bumpers, Plexiglass rear windows, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, a Sparco Circuit II bucket seat, a full roll cage, simplified door cards, push-button start, a Tractive sequential gear shifter, braided fuel lines, a driver’s harness, an AiM digital dashboard display, a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system, a large Maxi Racing boost pressure gauge, a custom dashboard and centre console, an ATL aluminium fuel cell, a fibreglass boot lid with drilled hinges, an aluminium oil catch can, and aftermarket adjustable suspension. Flatshifetr, air jacks.
• Externally, this example has been fitted with a purposeful Group 5 wide body kit, (moulds included) including a deep front chin spoiler with ventilation holes, extended wheel arches, a louvred bonnet, wider bumpers, a rear diffuser, a large rear wing, the exhaust system exiting through the rear bumper, (spare side exhaust) and a fibreglass extended boot lid. 
• The car comes with three sets of wheels, the logbook, the FIA HTP, and the Nova documentation. 

CONDITION

• Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This example has been restored and meticulously maintained by Geoff Steel Motorsport, including a ground-up rebuild of the engine, differential, and gearbox. It is noted to have only had dyno time and a shake down after the full engine rebuild.

SUMMARY

This rare E24-generation BMW 635 CSi is a desirable and engaging modern classic grand tourer, which was transformed in the late 1990s into an eye-catching and highly competitive Group 5 racing car, and benefits from a recent ground-up restoration. Boasting impressive racing provenance from its time in Italy, with a powerful Alpina 4.9-litre turbocharged straight-six engine coupled to a six-speed sequential gearbox, and boasting a dramatic wide bodykit, it would make a fantastic addition to any motorsport-themed collection, and a thrilling and eminently competitive entrant for various historic race series including Historic Belcar, CTCRC historic Thunder, HSCC thundersports, young timer.

Please enquire for price

Keyword Search Terms: