While on assignment for another publication, I found myself looking at photos from BMW’s at this years Ultrace event, still the highlight of the year when it comes to top-tier car builds. The sheer number of BMWs on display was staggering, so much so that I decided to create a dedicated gallery for the Munich marque.
If you’re not a fan of BMW, this post might not be for you. But for everyone else, consider this a tribute to the Bavarian brand in all its glory.
Bimmerfest is perhaps the largest car event in Europe exclusively for BMWs. It’s a permanent fixture on my calendar every year. This year was no exception, as I headed to Raceway Venray, Europe’s fastest 1/2 mile oval circuit, armed with an empty memory card and a fully charged camera. The unique location, while thrilling, does demand a pair of good running shoes since you spend half the time standing on the banked track.
As always, certain paddocks were reserved for specific themes. This year featured areas dedicated to Alpina, classics, and a top 10 selected by Z-Performance wheels. Additionally, there’s always space for various BMW clubs, with MFlight likely being the largest. Most members of this club hail from America but are stationed at a US base just across the border in Germany.
A standout car for me was the Twin Turbo V12 E36, which I’ve already posted separately. Another highlight was the E23 7 Series at the H&R booth, complete with a humorous “Arg Teuer” sticker mimicking the Tag Heuer logo. As you can tell, I have a soft spot for the older models. Yet, the M3 Touring, one of BMW’s newer models, also caught my eye and, yes, even with those large kidney grilles.
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.
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.
