1981 BMW E24 Alpina B7/2 Arturo Merzario - Extremely Rare

Background:

The E24 BMW CSi needs little introduction, either as a road car par excellence or a superbly capable touring car racer. This is more than a standard 3.5-litre injected E24, however in 1992, this Alpina B7/2 was transformed into a full 'Group 5' racer in its native Italy.

Originally owned by Moreschi Motorsport, the car was sold to a collector in 2008, relocating to the UK and the care of its current owner over four years ago. It was Moreschi Motorsport which transformed the car into a 'Group 5' racer, ready for the 1994 season, where it claimed second in class on its debut at the Circuit of Rastellino.

Competing in the Varano Challenge Club series, the car and driver claimed first overall, before embarking on a hill climb career in August 1997 at the Alpe del Navegal, where it claimed first in class and second overall. After a hiatus, the car returned to the hills, claiming three class wins in 2007, its final hurrah in Italy being in the Chianti Classico hill climb.

Since being purchased by a former Ascari GT3 driver in 2021, the car has undergone a ground-up restoration at Geoff Steel Motorsport, before returning to the circuits for the 2022 season. It has since competed in the Classic Touring Car Racing Club series and at the Silverstone Festival, where it took class pole.

The car:

The original Alpina 4.9-litre KKK-turbochared straight-six delivers over 450bhp to the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential transmission. The engine was originally built and developed by Scuderia Merzario F1 under the instruction of former F1, sportscar and touring car ace, Arturo Merzario, for a BMW 635 'Group 5' project which was never completed. The engine was sold to Moreschi Motorsport at the end of 1991.

This stunning racer stands out from other 635s courtesy of its aggressive fibreglass 'Group 5' body kit, featuring wide arches, deep front spoiler, wider bumpers, a louvred bonnet, extended bootlid with large rear wing and a diffuser, with the exhaust exiting through the rear bumper (a side exhaust system is also included in the sale package, along with moulds for the body kit components.)

Finished in silver with red accents and sponsor logos, the car is presented in the livery in which it has been raced, with a stripped-out black cabin, Sparco Circuit II race seat with full harness, Alcantra-trimmed steering wheel and a full red-painted roll cage.

The extensive spec includes a purpose-built interior with Plexiglass rear windows and simplified door cards. Nestling in the custom-made dash and centre console are the push-button start, AiM digital dash display and a large Maxi Racing boost pressure gauge. There is a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system.

The car has an ATL aluminium fuel cell, fully adjustable suspension and a Tractive sequential gear-shift system with Flatshiftr, as well as on-board air-jacks. The car rides on 17 x 10 front and 17 x 12 rear 7-spoke split-rim alloys, finished in gold with polished barrels, shod with Goodyear racing rubber. Three sets of wheels are included in the sale – including new wet-weather tyres - along with the logbook, FIA/HTP and NOVA documentation.

The car has been meticulously maintained by its restorers, Geoff Steel Motorsport and the engine, gearbox and differential have all been rebuilt. The engine has only had dyno running and a single shake-down, following its full rebuild.

Summary:

This outstanding Group 5 BMW 635 CSi is on the button and ready to race. Powerful, distinctive and unstintingly prepared, it’s sure to be a draw in series like Belcar, CTCRC Classic Thunder, HSCC Thundersports and more.

Location: Essex

Seller: Private

Photos: Professional