The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show returned with a bang to the NEC in Birmingham, with plenty of interesting BMWs on show. Here’s what caught our eye
BMW 850CSi Individual
Winner of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership contest, this isn’t just any BMW 850CSi. A product of BMW’s Individual programme, the car’s former professional tennis player owner specified an incredible array of bespoke options – most notably in the leather department. From seat-backs to headliner, carphone to ashtray, swathes of Ice Blue and Champagne leather have been used to create an interior like no other.
The car’s owner Tahmid Haque (pictured) brought it up to the standard you see here, including wet-sanding the special-order Aqua Metallic paint to its current gleaming finish. A Judges’ Favourite award at the Hampton Court Conours of Elegance – as well as its win in the Pride of Ownership contest – are testament to the car’s remarkable condition.
Frazer-Nash BMW 319/45
A fine example of pre-war BMW in the UK, this Frazer-Nash BMW has been used extensively in motorsport both in period and in recent years, with campaigns at Brooklands, Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb and the Curborough Sprint. The model is an example of early BMW models that were imported and assembled by Frazer-Nash, then official importer for the marque.
Power comes courtesy of a 1910cc straight-six with twin Solex PB32 carbs and a BMW 328 sports camshaft. The standard four-speed Hurth gearbox puts power to the rear wheels, with syncromesh on 3rd and 4th gears only. Total weight is a very motorsport-friendly 850kg.
BMW M3 Evolution
Once a bargain-basement M car, the E36 BMW M3 has skyrocketed in popularity and value in recent years. This car – formerly owned by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay – hits three key markers as an enthusiast’s dream example: Evolution specification (featuring the more powerful 3.2-litre S52 engine with 321bhp), rarer four-door bodystyle and finished in desirable Boston Green. With just 46,000 miles covered since it rolled off the line in 1996, this M3 is among the best we’ve seen – so its £30,000-35,000 guide price at Iconic Aucitoneers’ Saturday sale seemed a fair assessment; it didn’t sell on the day so is now offered for sale at £34,500.
BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) & BMW Z3M Coupe
Bookending about three decades of the BMW sports-coupe story, this pair joined the M3 above in Iconic Auctioneers’ sizeable sale in Hall 2. Resplendent in Taiga Green, the 1973 3.0 CSL is one of 500 UK-supplied right-hand-drive examples. With 96,811 miles on the clock, it’s been well-used yet beautifully presented, with a history file to match. It sold for £81,000 in the Saturday sale, within its guide price of £75,000–85,000.
Its display partner is even rarer – just one of 174 right-hand-drive examples of the Z3M Coupe made worldwide. With just 45,000 miles on the clock its S54 straight-six is barely run in; its remarkable condition was reflected by its £60,750 sale price – smashing its £45,000–55,000 guide.
BMW 318Ci
A real modern classic in the making, the BMW 318Ci makes great use of the E46’s keen chassis and rakish good looks with a light 143bhp four-cylinder and plenty of M Sport styling touches. This example has accrued just 13,436 miles from new despite its four previous owners.
Bidding fell slightly short of the £10,000–15,000 guide price, topping out at £9,562. That could be considered punchy by some but we’d wager the opportunity to secure a time-warp like this doesn’t come around very often.
