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driving design

BMW E3-GTR

E3

Built from 1968 to 1977 the E3 generation of BMW vehicles marked the new beginning of BMW building sport sedans. This was before there were M cars and a whole line of performance machines. The iconic E9 coupes were built on a shortened platform of the E3 with some powertrain, suspension and features shared with the sedan.

E9

BMW had released some special E9 cars - the 3.0CSi and CSL as performance models. The E9 CSL race cars went on to be legends in motorsport and set BMW up for success in the years to come. The E3 was left to be in the background as a functional family vehicle. Not till later years did BMW create the M sedans we all love.

E3-GTR - THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE

Let’s remix things a bit. I’ve been doing many road rallies and driving events and wanted something that could take on the country roads, be ok in some dirt yet rip down the highway when needed - something with some character, some soul but with the confidence of a modern machine. The 1973 E3 Sedans are great and can be tuned up nicely, but why not go further.

Partnering with the legendary and massively talented Riley Stair of RS Motorsport, the man behind the incredible TransAm to help build this thing. We seek to mix Riley’s craft and old school fabrication with some of my new school development and design. The end result will be a retromod not just in the car but in how it came to be.

Here is the E3-GTR. 70s soul with a 8800rpm V8 and modern chassis. Lets see what this might look like:

  • E3 Bavaria as a base car.

  • Fully stripped, fixing body panels, rust and creating a nice refreshed unibody. Reinforced and repainted in the OEM Sahara color. Not concourse, but reasonable. The renders above are inspired by euro road rallies and racing.

  • E9X M3 Front Suspension - subframe, steering rack, control arms and struts, adjusted and corrected kinematics.

  • F9X M3 Rear Suspension - subframe, control arms, differential with LSD.

  • S65 V8, updated to 4.2l, built for RPMs - paired to a manual transmission - just the essentials.

  • New chassis and engine harness and control system, with ABS, display for gauges and minimal control panel.

  • New steering and pedal assemblies

  • Minimalist interior with refinished doorcards, minimal carpeting and new dash. HVAC and all, but simplified, functional.

  • Will try for 17” wheels, otherwise 18” bespoke, retro style wheels or something that is fitting of the build and style.

  • Of course, proper upgrades and ehancements all around - cooling, chassis, braking and more.

ETA: SEMA 2024

  • Initiate the E3-GTR Build process. Strip down vehicle for initial scan data and digital assembly and fitmen checks. Proceed to body reinforcement and prep.

  • Digital Modeling for fitment and upgrades. Engine build at Carbahn. Chassis prep and to Paint. Electronics package fitment and plumbing.

  • Target build completion and initial testing.

  • Display at SEMA 2024 - TBD on location/partner

  • Dates for GridLife not yet set - but will participate.

  • Create a film about the confluence of high manual craft and new tech to create relatively accessible iterations and takes on vintage cars.

RESTORE

DESIGN

ENGINEER

BUILD

DRIVE

RESTORE DESIGN ENGINEER BUILD DRIVE

E3-GTR

I am not _ an influencer, a youtuber or a content creator. I don’t have a TikTok and don’t tweet. I don’t have a large following or a fanbase. I don’t do fake or half-ass.

I am _ a creator, a builder, an engineer, a designer. I don’t have a following but I have a solid reputation. I am resourceful. I do things the right way for the right reasons. I stay humble and forever curious. I have a history of developing some serious hardware that has survived Pikes Peak, through many pounds of boost, and at incredible speeds across many uses. I mean what I say, I follow through and keep my word. I help my friends and aid those who need it.

I will_ find the right partners and colleages to bring this to reality and work with them on how to present this. I want to tell a story, I want to share others’ stories and I want to keep the new generations inspired. Driving isn’t all about the new or the perfect - its about passion.

“A rising tide lifts all boats.”

The Builder Initiative. These projects are not only meant to be creations or PR initiatives, they are meant to elevate those involved, provide a platform to showcase skills, work, creativity and innovation. As this projects moves forward I will engage not just with larger companies but also small one-man businesses and craftsmen. I want to support them fairly and allow them to do their work to the best of their ability to further their own ambitions. I want them to look back on projects like these and feel not only proud but also validated that their sweat and effort was appreciated outside of just attention. They are the backbone automotive culture, curators of craft and skill, and must be celebrated as well.

Support your local speedshop, fabricator, technician, electrician, calibrator and others.

Partners:

RS Motorsport (Riley Stair) - Fabrication
Obsidian Engineering - Calibration
KSV Looms - Wiring

Sponsors: