LONDON: Classic Car Auctions in Warwickshire, England, will kick off its August sale catalogue with a rare BMW (E36) M3 GT Individual going under the hammer.
Only 356 M3 GTs were made with an additional 50 right-hand drive M3 GT Individual (mostly coated in British Racing Green) versions designated for the UK.
This limited edition M3 GT (40 of 50) is estimated to fetch between £20,000 and £25,000 (RM106,000 to RM133,000) and will be accompanied by its extensive history file and original build sheet.
Still in its original state and bearing the registration number M3 XYX, it has had three former owners and almost 170,000km on the clock.
The M3 GT was produced because the Bavarian automaker was looking to compete in the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Series Grand Touring Cars class II (FIA-GT2), US-based International Motor Sports Association (IMSA GT) and other endurance-based racing series.
Power comes from a cast-iron 3.0-litre (2,990cc) inline-six Euro-spec S50B30 engine that was produced from 1992 to 1995 in the Bavarian city of Munich, Germany.
The engine was extensively modified, resulting in a higher compression ratio of 10.8:1, thanks to the larger camshafts, reinforced valve springs, new cast-iron crankshaft, lighter and larger 86mm (+2mm) diameter cylinders, stronger 142mm rods, enlarged 34mm inlet valves, individual throttle bodies, dual mass flywheel and a new sports exhaust system to name a few.
With a Bosch Motronic M3.3 electronic control unit and a higher 7,280rpm red-line, the 151kg naturally-aspirated engine is able to produce up to 295hp at 7,100rpm and 323Nm of torque at 3,900rpm while firing in an order of 1-5-3-6-2-4.
At approximately 1,460kg (-30kg) compared to the standard M3, century sprints (0-100kph) take about six seconds with a six-speed manual before reaching an unrestricted top speed of 275kph.
Externally, the car was differentiated by a more prominent and adjustable front splitter, more aggressive double rear wing, aluminium doors and clear front indicators with amber for the sides and rear.
It was further equipped with staggered 17 x 7.5-inch (front) and 17 x 8.5-inch (rear) forged M double-spoke alloys fitted with 235/40 series tyres.
The suspension, though similar to a standard M3, used shorter and stiffer springs in order to accept the extra down-force generated by the fully extended front splitter and rear spoiler.
Inside, the cabin is accented by graphite bird's eye maple wood inserts on the centre console and glove box while the seats are upholstered in Anthracite with the M tri-colour stripes on the backs of the front and rear seats as Mexico Green Nappa Leather adorn the door inserts and grab handles.
