If you think the pictures make you want it, wait until you read the spec...
While this may be a bold place to begin, there's an argument to be made that
this BMW 635 could be the perfect historic touring car. Or very close, at least. Think about it: this isn't an original competition car, meaning you don't have to worry about originality and can actually get on with driving it. There are FIA papers meaning it's eligible to race as well. But it's built to a spec that authentically replicates the original Eggenberger cars, meaning you can get the experience of those without worrying about its significance. This in addition to the 6 Series being a fairly recent build, so there shouldn't be much to do to have it race ready. And a Group 2 6 Series tends to sound
a bit like this.
Oh good grief
So there's that to it. There's also the fact that this 635 might just be one of the best looking touring cars ever made. The E24 6 Series always made for a very tasty tin top, but the meticulousness of this car's build moves it on again. The wheels, the stance and the livery are all spot on, the immaculate interior matched if not surpassed by the flawless bonnet-off view. That's what an engine should look like!
The advert says that this is "a very rewarding car to drive with fantastic handling", a statement we're not going to contest. This is a lightweight(ish), rear-wheel drive, straight-six BMW from the 80s, after all. Look at the kind of races it can (hopefully) compete in as well: the Historic Touring Car Challenge goes to Portimao, the Silverstone Classic, Spa and Donington, with Camaros, SD1s, Capris and XJSs competing. And who wouldn't fancy a go in that?
Even the wheel is gorgeous!
Alright, there will be cheaper ways into historic motorsport; 175,000 euros (or just under £150,000) is a lot of money, particularly when a genuine
BTCC BMW (albeit 'just' an M3) is only a little more expensive. More favourable comparisons can be found with Porsches (can't they always?), with
this 911 T now on offer at £140,000 having been converted to S/T spec. The historic racer choice is made more difficult with the Ford alternatives though: this
Mustang is more powerful than the BMW and this
Sierra RS500 is noticeably cheaper.
Despite all that, there remains something incredibly tempting about this 635. It must be one of the best available, and the combination of the looks with that engine is perhaps even more exciting than it was 30-odd years ago. It almost seems a shame to sully such a pristine car with race grime, but that will surely all be forgotten after the sideways lap. Or six.
BMW 635 GROUP 2
Price: 175,000 euros
Why you should: Look at it!
Why you shouldn't: Er, um... There has to be something, doesn't there?
See the original advert here.
