If we say that the 1970s was a golden era for F1 and the 1980s an iconic period for rallying, then the same distinction surely applies to touring cars in the 90s. Wild M3s and 190Es dominated German DTM; for Britain, the Super Touring era kicked off in 1990, and with it probably the most memorable decade the BTCC has ever seen.
Simpler than the old class system, a host of manufacturers committed themselves to the cause. Back when saloon cars really mattered, seemingly nothing was as important as a BTCC entry, with everyone from Mazda (with a Xedos 6) to Audi (showing off the benefits of Quattro in an A4) getting involved. With big driver names, big budgets and big drama every race weekend, audiences were duly captivated. The fact that everyone who loves touring cars still talk so fondly about the 1990s probably says it all.
As the decade progressed - and once Alfa snuck through the aero devices on the 155 - Super Tourers in the BTCC became more focused. To win, the cars needed downforce, which eventually meant bigger spoilers, even lower ride heights and a look further removed from the production cars. Still an incredible spectacle, of course, but significantly different from the racers of the early 1990s.
An example of which we have right here. BMW, of course, has a particularly long and illustrious history in saloon car racing, and it was the job of the E36 to pick up where the E30 M3 had left off in Britain - Will Hoy winning the championship in 1991 in the old car's last season. For 1992 that meant the 318iS Coupe, replaced in 1993 by the 318i saloon.
But then the BMW lay dormant, stored at the end of 1994 and left like a time capsule for a quarter of a century. It wasn't until 2020 that it was unearthed again, found by Girardo & Co - which now has it for sale - and sent away for restoration at BBM Sport.
It was finished last year and, if ever the results speak for themselves, this is it. The whole thing is exquisitely done, a testament to BBM's skill, from engine bay to rear window. Presumably it was sympathetically stored, but 26 years is a long time for anything to stand still - not that you'd know from the E36's condition. It looks new, but little details - see the scrutineering stickers on the roll cage and the digital dash dated 1992 - mean the history is there for all to see.
The 318i is currently POA with Girardo; given another website has an BTCC E30 also driven by Soper for sale at £180,000, the later car isn't going to come cheap. But then you never expected it to, right? Given its age - it's 30 next year, no less - it must be eligible for all sorts of historic series by now, brimming with old school appeal thanks to the S14 engine and manual gearbox - but modern enough to be interesting and different. A fine historic tin-top, basically; just maybe don't race it in exactly the style Soper was known for...
Image credit | Tom Shaxson, for Girardo & Co
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