The hallowed E30-generation M3 is one of the all-time great European racing cars, ensuring that its E36 heir of 1992 had enormous shoes to fill both on and off track. To optimize the new model for international competition, BMW introduced the updated M3 GT homologation special edition road car. Offered only in British Racing Green, this strictly limited creation was available exclusively to customers in Germany. As a result, to placate an envious North American market, and to populate the grid of the IMSA-sanctioned Showroom Stock race series, engineers in Munich then devised the celebratory M3 Lightweight.

Built during the small window between August and October 1995, the Lightweight ditched embellishments such as air conditioning, a radio, sound deadening material, and a sunroof to save 200 pounds and in turn offer an extremely pure driving experience. In turn, it gained a beautiful Alpine White III livery featuring BMW Motorsport flag graphics, carbon fiber interior trim, and a more pronounced rear wing. Returning 243 horsepower from its 3.0-liter capacity, the S50 inline-six engine sent its power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

Of the 126 examples completed, the M3 Lightweight offered here holds a 29 September 1995 production date. The car arrived in the United States on 8 November, with BMW affiliate race team Prototype Technology Group of Virginia handling all deliveries, and was sold to its first owner in California in February 1996. Per the accompanying letter from PTG, cars were supplied with the rear wing and front strut brace initially uninstalled, since these components were not intended for use on public roads.

For the following decade, the M3 was maintained by McKenna BMW of Norwalk before, showing just 158 miles, it was sold via the dealership to a new owner in the Golden State in late November 2006. Given that the E36 had remained close, McKenna continued to service the car before it moved to Austin, Texas, with a new owner taking possession from February 2008. They retained the M3 for 13 years. An October 2018 visit (invoice available to view on file) to Moorespeed of Austin for extensive servicing totaled $5,824. At this time the car was noted with 24,305 miles.

Acquired by the vendor in March 2021, this example of the pared-back and incredibly rare M3 Lightweight is sure to appeal to collectors of special German automobiles.