One to Buy: ex-works Spa 24 Hours-winning 1986 BMW 635 CSi Gr.A
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As it’s impossible to overload on Group A goodness, here’s a bit more: the ex-works BMW 635 CSi driven to victory at the 1986 Spa 24 Hours by Dieter Quester, Altfrid Heger and Thierry Tassin. Arguably the best Group A racer to hit the market in months, it will be going under the hammer during RM Sotheby’s Munich sale on November 20th.
Built and campaigned as a BMW works machine by Schnitzer Motorsport, chassis E24 RA2-79 appeared in the first nine rounds of the 1986 European Touring Car Championship. During that time it was also driven by the likes of Gerhard Berger, Emanuele Pirro, Roberto Ravaglia and Otto Rensing.
The best result from E24 RA2-79’s first eight ETCC outings of 1986 were a brace of seconds (Donington and Hockenheim), a third (Zeltweg), a fourth (Misano), two sixths (Anderstorp and the Nurburgring) and a seventh (Brno). The 635 only failed to finish once, on its debut appearance of ‘86 at Monza, when the car lost a wheel.
In early August came E24 RA2-79’s ninth and final ETCC outing of the year: the Spa 24 Hours. On this occasion, Quester, Heger and Tassin rose from ninth on the grid to take a famous win, the 635 CSi’s third in this, arguably the most important Touring Car race in the world. Chassis E24 RA2-79’s last outing as a works car came at the Bathurst 1000 where Quester and Ravaglia retired with suspension damage.
Roberto Ravaglia ultimately went on to win the 1986 ETCC Drivers Championship and BMW claimed the Division 2 Manufacturers’ crown. Chassis E24 RA2-79 was subsequently purchased by privateer Yvan Tapy and acquired by the consigning owner in June 2017.
According to RM Sotheby’s: “The BMW was restored, maintained, and race prepared by Graber Sportgarage of Toffen, Switzerland between 2017 and 2024 before Pastrolli Classic Cars in Maranello, Italy completed an engine rebuild and fitment of a new clutch in late 2025. Invoices on file for the combined work exceed €250,000. Please note, the car is currently fitted with a correct-type replacement engine but is accompanied by its original unit.”
“The 635 CSi presents in its unmistakable, period-correct “Genuine BMW Parts” livery and has recently competed at the Spa Classic and Monza Revival. Supplied with an FIA Historic Technical Passport valid until the end of 2026, this most special of Group A racers boasts astonishing provenance and is eligible for a variety of historic motorsport series.”
