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 on offer carries the unique distinction of being powered by a European-specification S50 inline-six engine, a detail easily identified by the individual throttle bodies feeding each cylinder. Delivered new to Walter Swick of the greater Cleveland, Ohio area, the BMW was brought to TC Kline of Columbus around the turn of the millennium for the conversion. A dyno sheet on file from another shop in the area indicates the engine was producing 277 peak horsepower to the wheels once completed.

The vehicle was subsequently sold to Jeff Roberts, a member of the BMW Car Club of America, in 2001 and shipped to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Around 2010, the BMW found a new owner and over the following decade, it has traveled coast to coast under subsequent ownership.

A large file of documentation accompanies the M3 Lightweight with highlights including the original window sticker and a collection of invoices detailing the vehicle’s service history. Notably, one invoice on file dated 2017 includes a line item to “replace the factory suspension.” It is believed the car now rides on European-specification springs, which provide a lower ride height.

The BMW M3 Lightweight is offered with 10,760 miles at the time of cataloguing. Already an incredibly rare and desirable BMW model, the inclusion of a high-output European-market engine under the hood makes this a must-have example for any BMW enthusiast.