Miguel Sánchez
Very recently we offered you an article about the special versions made by Lancia based on its Delta Evo1 and Evo2. Considered today as the most sought after among all those relating to the extensive saga of the HF Integrale, these sought to boost the future price of the model in the collectors market thanks to its unique details, commemorative motifs and numbered series.
However, in that publication we were not only talking about the Italian model; Far from it, it was completely impossible to leave aside what was his nemesis: the BMW M3 E30. Introduced in 1986, this one came on par with the HF 4WD. First of the Delta with the combination of turbocharger and all-wheel drive to serve as a worthy prologue to the Integrale which, from 1988 onwards, would play an excellent role both in the dealerships and in the competition.
Exactly the same as what was done by the BMW M3 E30 although, while the Italian reigned on the WRC tracks, the German was dominant on the asphalt of the touring championships. Likewise, in relation to its sales both were rivals despite having the M3 with a little more displacement. Something that the Delta compensated with similar horsepower and, especially, the magnificent grip provided by the Integrale traction.
In any case, however the commercial duel between the Lancia and the BMW developed, the truth is that both in one and the other appeared special series -commemorative and in short series- with which the future market value was further highlighted. And, as we well know in this unnecessary hobby for the course of the world, few things increase both the price of a model and its fetish value based on a scarce and commemorative production.
BMW M3 E30 SPECIAL EDITIONS, WE START WITH THE EVO 1
As with what happened with the Delta, the sales figures for the M3 E30 shot up well above expectations. Not in vain, both vehicles were launched with the sole and brief intention of being able to reach the minimum production required for homologation in the Group A.
Likewise, with regard to the BMW, all this arose - to a large extent - as a response to the presentation by Mercedes of its 190E 2.3 16v in 1983. A sensational car not only in the dealerships but also on the tracks, where its adaptations “racing” began to overshadow too much the role of BMW models in the tourism championships.
In this sense, the first special edition of the BMW M3 E30 has its roots precisely in the aforementioned homologation needs. Thus, the series known as Evo1 appeared at the beginning of 1987 - months after the first units of the M3 E30 had reached the market - with a circulation of 505 units adjusted to 192 hp without catalyzing.
In appearance, the Evo1 series is practically the same as the first M3 E30 but, thanks to the numbering engraved on both its chassis and its engine, anyone who owns one of these units knows that, in one way or another, their BMW sports a special connection with the world of racing.
TOUR DE CORSE '87, ONLY FOR THE FRENCH MARKET
The second on the list of special versions of the BMW M3 E30 is the Tour de Corse And, attention, here we are facing something doubly concrete. And, instead of being based on the M3 E30 “normal”, each and every one of the 50 units belonging to this series were created by modifying 50 copies of the Evo1.
Furthermore, all this was done by BMW France, which offered this special version exclusively for the French market designed to commemorate the success of Bernard Beguin and Jean-Jacques Lenne in the Corsica Tour. They were only offered in two colors - Alpine White and Diamond Black - while the equipment improved with a series of elements where we found electric windows, sliding sunroof, headlight cleaners, alloy wheels and leather seats.
As if all this were not enough, the Tour de Corse series is easily recognizable thanks to the exterior insignia - especially striking is the one located on the front grill - as well as the signatures of those awarded drivers engraved on the numbered plate placed on the center console. . In short, quite a whim which is also revealed by its yellow headlights like a good French car.
TOURENWAGEN EUROPAMEISTER '87, THE VICTORIES FINALLY COME
During its first full year of racing the BMW M3 E30 proved to be an exceptional machine; so much so that he managed to win the German touring car championship in 1987 thanks to the driving of Eric Van de Poele.
That said, the BMW dealer in Hamburg decided to make a numbered series with only 50 units made on the basis of the Evo1. Marked with a plate on which the signatures of the three official drivers for the 1987 season appear, it was offered not only in factory colors but also with a paint in which, on a white background, the colors of the Bmw motorsport in the form of a huge diagonal livery.
TOURENWAGEN EUROPAMEISTER '88, 148 UNITS
During the 1988 season, the Venetian Roberto Ravaglia won the European Touring Car Championship aboard, of course, an M3 E30. To celebrate he appeared at the end of that same year a special edition reduced to 148 units which, based on an M3 E30 “normal”, it produced up to 195 HP -with catalytic converter- without any further alterations to its equipment than the well-known commemorative plaque with the numeration and the signature of the award-winning pilot.
SPRING 1988, THE EVO 2 ARRIVES
New homologation needs led BMW to create a new special series during the spring of 1988. Named as Evo 2, this increased the engine power to 220 HP while incorporating some Applique aerodynamic more striking - especially with regard to the rear and its spoiler, although the front also received touch-ups - while the engine was painted in the colors of the BMW Motorsport livery.
In short, this time a special version with more reasons for uniqueness including camshafts with greater crossover, a new programming of the bosh injection, more compression ratio and even some subtle differences when it comes to steering. It's not bad at all.
CECOTTO AND RAVAGLIA, TWO SPECIAL EDITIONS OF THE BMW M3 E30
Made on the basis of the Evo 2 - and adjusted up to 215 HP with catalyzed mechanics - the special editions cecotto and Ravaglia come to celebrate the successes on the racing circuits Johnny Cecotto -Venezuelan with an excellent career that we could already see in a recent article- and Roberto Ravaglia.
Responsible for dozens of victories in the German touring car championship, in the case of Cecotto the triumphs on the back of the M3 E30 also occurred in other championships such as the Italian one. In short, they were two essential names in the extensive track record of this BMW, which is why the German company decided to carry out trails at the end of 1989-beginning of 1990. commemorative editions with leather seats and plates with both the signature of the respective pilot and the serial number of the unit.
In this way, while the Cecotto had 505 units, the Ravaglia had only 25 and, even more rarity, only available in the British market. With all this we are faced with two variants defined by one bullish quote when, remember, the M3 E30 itself is already in a severe price bubble regardless of the version it corresponds to.
SPORT EVOLUTION, THE MOST PERFORMANCE AMONG THE SPECIAL EDITIONS OF THE BMW M3 E30
The homologation needs dictated by the FIA once again sought a new special version of the BMW M3 E30 for the 1990 season. Of course, the one known as sports evolution -some also refer to it as Evo 3- did present obvious mechanical changes thanks to the increase in displacement to the 2.5 liters.
In this way - as well as changes to the crankshaft, valves, camshaft or exhaust manifold - the power rose to 238 CV with a torque of 240 Nm at 4.750 rpm. In addition, the wheels grew to 18 inches - which forced the wheel arches to be redesigned - while a more elaborate spoiler was introduced with up to three positions depending on aerodynamic needs. By the way, production reached 600 units.
Images: Kuk Films, Bjornsyx, NOR Classics, Collecting Cars, Classic Heroes, Lmcars, RM Sotheby's
