Vehicle Description
BMW was actively competing in motorsport with the E36 at the time
and greenlit a homologation special for the U.K. market, the M3 GT.
Unsatisfied with their variant of the E36 M3 (when compared to its
European counterpart), BMW North America pressured the Munich-based
manufacturer into building a racing thoroughbred of their own. The
cars were sent to BMW North America's racing partner, Prototype
Technology Group in Virginia. While there, the M3s received several
upgrades and unique features over their more pedestrian siblings.
The Lightweight M3 received a hand-picked 3.0-liter inline-6 engine
and power was sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual
transmission. Exact production numbers were never confirmed by BMW,
but it's widely accepted that between 120 and 126 of the
Lightweight M3s were produced, with 10 being pre-production models.
All the 2,950-pound M3s were finished in Alpine White III. This M3
Lightweight is unique in that it does not feature the diagonal M
motif tri-color checkered graphics, nor does it feature the
traditional Lightweight rear spoiler. Inside, the interior featured
carbon-fiber trim; the traditional luxury amenities were absent.
BMW removed the radio, air conditioning and most of the
sound-deadening material, all in the name of weight reduction. This
M3 has 34,400 actual miles (the title reads mileage exempt). From
The Paul Walker Collection.