One to Buy: 25,000 mile 1995 BMW E36 M3 3.0 Lightweight
/
For 1995, BMW decided to run its E36-based M3 GTR in IMSA’s popular GTS-2 category for GT racing cars. The programme was managed on BMW’s behalf by Tom Milner’s Prototype Technology Group based in Virginia.
Ultimately, the GTR went on to secure all the available championships between 1996 and 1998.
To capitalise during the early stages of that high profile campaign, in 1995 BMW offered their American customers a stripped-out track-focused machine: the M3 Lightweight.
Starting with an off-the-shelf US-spec. M3 Coupe, the Lightweight most notably combined Euro-spec. M3 spring / damper settings and an M3 GT-style aero kit with a much-reduced weight owing to a very basic interior specification and aluminium instead of steel doors.
Only one colour scheme was available: Alpine White with BMW Motorsport graphics across two opposing corners. BMW had originally planned a limited run of just 85 units, but owing to demand, final production ultimately ran to 126.
Set to go under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction on May 15th / 16th is a particularly fine example of that 126-car run: chassis: WBSBF9328SEH07955.
Completed on September 29th 1995, chassis ‘07955’ arrived in the United States with Prototype Technology Group on November 8th and was sold to its first owner in California during February 1996. As per accompanying documentation from PTG, these cars were supplied with the rear wing and front strut brace initially uninstalled since they were not intended for use on public roads.
The first owner retained ‘07955’ until November 2006, at which point it had covered just 158 miles. The car is today being offered with a little over 25,000 miles on the odometer.
