Taifun-Converted E30 M3: Love It or Hate It?

A BMW E30 M3 with a Taifun headlight conversion? That’s sure to raise a few eyebrows. This bold build comes courtesy of the folks at Lowmolewerkz in Germany, who opted for this unique conversion. Taifun originally produced the kit, though they are no longer in business, making authentic kits hard to come by. Nowadays, many replicas are available.

Despite extensive online research, there’s surprisingly little information about this particular car, even though it’s been part of the scene for years. What I do know is that under the hood lies a six-cylinder engine from a newer E36 generation. This leads me to believe it’s not an original M3 but a converted E30. It’s similar to the Mercedes-Benz I posted about yesterday, where a standard car is transformed into a top-tier model. Here too, the conversion is done so meticulously that it’s hard to tell the difference at first glance.

The car also features a set of BBS RS wheels, painted in a sort of pistachio color to match the car. The wheel faces have been polished to a shiny finish after painting—a small detail with a big impact. Then there’s the suspension; an Air Lift Performance controller in the interior indicates an air ride system.

Reviving Legends: Mercedes 190E Evo II Replica

Lowering a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II over a set of BBS wheels? I can almost hear the purists falling off their chairs. But fear not, this is a replica. And it’s so meticulously crafted that you can barely tell the difference from the outside. I spotted this gem at Ultrace, lined up with other classic models from the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

These days, you can transform a standard Mercedes-Benz 190E into a true legend. A quick search for an Evo II body kit for the Mercedes-Benz 190E yields plenty of results on Google. So, if you own a 190E, the possibilities are endless. Genuine Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution IIs have become prohibitively expensive, which isn’t surprising given that only 502 units were ever made. If recent auction prices are anything to go by, they now fetch no less than €300,000.

Back to this well-crafted replica, the owner has added several personal touches. Most striking are the BBS LM wheels that fill the wheel arches nicely, thanks in part to the air ride suspension.

Classic Revival: Lancia Delta Integrale at Ultrace

Is there a more beautiful car than the Lancia Delta Integrale? Spotting one is rare these days, so imagine my delight when I saw not one, but two at Ultrace. This particular model immediately caught my eye with its deep dark blue paint and stunning 17” silver Work Meister S1 wheels. A perfect combination!

The car has been fully restored by its current owner, who shuns social media. This was a nut-and-bolt restoration, meaning the car was completely stripped down, meticulously refurbished, repainted, and reassembled. Parts for a car like this are no longer stocked at your local Lancia dealer, so the owner had to scour far and wide to find the right components to restore it to pristine showroom condition.

The end result is a magnificent example in the color “Blue Lord.” The owner didn’t stop at just restoring the car; he also found areas for improvement. The most noticeable modification is the lowered suspension, achieved using a specially developed KW Competition coilover kit. This setup is complemented by a Gepfeffert HLS kit, allowing the car to be raised or lowered at the push of a button—very handy for navigating those pesky speed bumps at the end of the street.

Absolute Motors’ Tribute to the Iconic Audi RS2

In the realm of Audi, the “RS” badge is synonymous with the pinnacle of performance within each model line. Almst every Audi model has its own RS variant, with the Avant versions, such as the RS4 and RS6, being particularly popular. During my pilgrimage to Ultrace in Wrocław, Poland this year, I encountered this stunning RS6 built by Absolute Motors. This specimen hails from the latest, fourth generation, the C8. The RS Avant lineage traces back to 1994, when the Audi RS2 Avant made its debut.

The Audi RS2 Avant was the first to bear the RS designation and was launched in the legendary Nagaro Blue color. This car and color have since achieved iconic status among Audi enthusiasts, including the team at Absolute Motors. Their Audi RS6 pays homage to the RS2 in several meticulous ways.

Starting with the exterior, it’s resprayed in the signature Nagaro Blue, directly referencing the original RS2. The car is outfitted with an upper rear wing, lower side sill extensions, a lower front bumper apron, and a replacement rear diffuser, all sourced from Urban Automotive and finished in carbon fiber. A subtle detail not to be overlooked is the RS badge at the rear, styled after the RS2’s emblem but updated to RS6, complete with a nod to the original Porsche collaboration, but more on that later.

Holyhall’s Zakspeed inspired Ford Capri Mk3

In today’s automotive world, project cars are the bread and butter of many YouTube channels. But not all of them are created equal. Because this Zakspeed inspired Ford Capri Mk3 is something special. 3 years ago the team at Holyhall saw potential in an old, rusty red Ford Capri Mk3. Their goal was to transform it into a Zakspeed look-alike race car, reminiscent of those that raced across European circuits in the early ’80s. Thankfully for us, they succeeded in turning that vision into a reality, which I first witnessed live at the Essen Motor Show in 2023.

The foundation of this masterpiece is a Ford Capri Mk3, though only the doors and roof remain original. The rest of the car is built on a custom-made tube frame chassis, constructed not from CAD drawings but from photographs of the original Zakspeed race cars. This achievement alone is remarkable, but the work didn’t stop there.

Attached to the tube frame chassis is a custom suspension. Through the rear window, you can catch a glimpse of the pushrod rear suspension, featuring components from H&R Suspension. H&R provided a bespoke set specifically for this car, with spring rates and shock absorber characteristics individually matched to the new vehicle weight of 1300 kg.

BMW M2 GT and M1000R – A Legendary Tribute

I rarely feature motorcycles, but when I do, it has to be something that complements the BMW M2 GT built by GP Products. This M2 is crafted in the style of the legendary E36 M3 GT, and the BMW M1000R bike shares the same distinctive accents. That means plenty of carbon fiber and the iconic British Racing Green from the original E36 M3 GT. This duo was spotted at the recent Bimmerfest 2024 in Holland.

The E36 M3 GT holds a near-mythical status among BMW enthusiasts. Introduced in 1994 as a homologation model for the FIA GT Series, only 356 units were produced, all painted in British Racing Green. The BMW M3 GT featured a 3.0L inline-six engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 323 Nm of torque, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds. This performance was achieved through the use of different throttle bodies, special camshafts, and a higher compression ratio.

Now, this M2 “GT” G87 built by GP Products, a modern homage to the E36 M3 GT. The most striking feature is undoubtedly the instantly recognizable British Racing Green. Additionally, the wheels are styled like the original Motorsport wheels, though they have been painted in a striking copper/gold color.

BMW V12 LMR: The 24 hours of Le Mans Victory

Can BMW repeat their monumental win like they did in 1999? We will have to wait and see.

The #15 on their M Hybrid V8 in this years race was given this racing number as a tribute to the 1999 winner seen above.

When the BMW V12 LMR arrived at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June 1999, it faced fierce competition. BMW entered two V12 LMRs in the race, with one driven by the formidable trio of Yannick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini, and Joachim Winkelhock. The second car, driven by Jörg Müller, Tom Kristensen, and JJ Lehto, was equally strong but would face challenges.

As the race unfolded, the V12 LMR demonstrated not just speed but remarkable reliability. The car driven by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock maintained a relentless pace, handling the rigors of Le Mans with impressive consistency. Meanwhile, the second car encountered mechanical issues, highlighting the unpredictable nature of endurance racing.

After 24 hours of intense racing, the BMW V12 LMR piloted by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock emerged victorious, completing 366 laps. This triumph marked BMW’s first overall victory at Le Mans, a monumental achievement that underscored the V12 LMR’s exceptional design and performance.

BMW E36 V12 Turbo: Ultimate Showstopper

At Bimmerfest 2024, there was one car that genuinely took my breath away. While there were plenty of stunning vehicles on display, nothing quite like this BMW E36 had ever crossed my path. This car is the perfect showcase of what can be achieved when passion meets craftsmanship. Built by Unlimited Auto in Weiden, Germany, it’s a marvel that demonstrates their unparalleled expertise.

Under the hood lies an M70 engine that definitely didn’t came as standard on the E36. The M70 was BMW’s first production V12, which was produced from 1987 to 1996 and could be found in the E32 750iL for example. As if that weren’t impressive enough, they’ve added not one, but two turbochargers. The result is a mechanical masterpiece that blends power and precision.

I had a brief chat with the owner, who proudly shared that a recent test saw the car producing a staggering 1012 horsepower and 1182 Nm of torque. The challenge now is getting these insane figures onto the road, as even in third gear, it creates white smoke from the 305 wide rear tires. The next step, he mentioned, is to equip the car with slick tires to better harness its immense power.