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Mitch
11-30-2007, 03:02 PM
WOW I never knew this car existed!! Is this the first M car? Many think the the BMW M1 was the first M car. Indeed, it was supposed to be, but was not due to production delays at Lamborghini. By the time BMW took over production, the car was 4 years late and missed the racing series for which it was intended.

Many think that the first M car was the BMW M535i produced in 1980 and 1981. It was produced to coincide with BMW's F1 racing program.

But, before either of those, there was the BMW M530 Motorsport Limited Edition. In 1976, the BMW 530 MLE was produced as a homolagation special.

The 201 road-going cars were built by BMW South Africa. They were available only in white with spoilers wheel arch "spats", and BMW Motorsport badges and stripes. Portions of the body were done in aluminum, others in lighter-guage steel. For even more weight reduction, some components were drilled or punched.

Check this car out, its amazing!
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/medium/M530_1.jpg

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/M530_4.jpg

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/M530_5.jpg

Rear Drilled Parcel Shelf!!
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/M530_ParcelShelf.jpg

Pedals drilled for lightness!
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/M530_Pedals.jpg

Factory photo:
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/medium/M530_RoadTrackTurbo.jpg

M530 in Bic livery:
http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/medium/M530_BIC1.jpg

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/medium/M530_BIC2.jpg

What a car! Alan, have you ever seen one of these?
Mitch
11-30-2007, 03:03 PM
Here is a shot of the drilled trunk hinge in the M530! Amazing stuff.

http://www.internetcp.com/gallery/data/500/M530_TrunkHinge.jpg
BMRSEB
11-30-2007, 03:42 PM
I think there's an article in the latest Roundel about the M535i.. Good read too!
AddLightness
11-30-2007, 04:03 PM
Makes me want to drill holes all over my car! :D

Seriously, those are some excellent pics.
GCR
11-30-2007, 04:28 PM
Mitch,

I have worked on a few of them. They were fast for the day!! Twin Zenith carbs were a bit of a pain to keep synchronised, though. They used the Euro pattern 5 speed tranny with 1st gear over to the left and back. Neat cars.

Alan.
Justin
11-30-2007, 05:55 PM
Yeah thats car is awesome! Thanks for posting that is some cool info.
Lsixer
11-30-2007, 06:36 PM
Makes me want to drill holes all over my car! :D

Seriously, those are some excellent pics.

Me too.

Its funny. The drilled holes in the clutch (brake pedal arm too?) pedal arm to help eliminate weight, yet they left the stereo in car!! http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w245/lsixer/rofl-1.gif

I am assuming the arms were drilled to eliminate weight no?
Philip
11-30-2007, 07:46 PM
Call me a colossal dork, but I did know about that car.
Thank you BMW online training classes! lol
Mitch
11-30-2007, 07:48 PM
Yeha no kidding! If the driver ate a hamburger at lunchtime, it would negate any savings from the pedals, so whats the point of doing it? Because its COOL! I think its awesome and would love to have one, if I ever saw one!
Philip
11-30-2007, 07:52 PM
Yeha no kidding! If the driver ate a hamburger at lunchtime, it would negate any savings from the pedals, so whats the point of doing it? Because its COOL! I think its awesome and would love to have one, if I ever saw one!

I can only imagine what you have to pay for one of those. I'm sure you'd have to pay in internal organs, not money.
blackstig
11-30-2007, 09:22 PM
Me too.

Its funny. The drilled holes in the clutch (brake pedal arm too?) pedal arm to help eliminate weight, yet they left the stereo in car!! http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w245/lsixer/rofl-1.gif

I am assuming the arms were drilled to eliminate weight no?

Yeah, they do that to save weight, the JGTC 350 and lower spec old-school Japanese racers used to drill holes in everything that wasn't readily visible in order to save weight...It sounds miniscule but those pieces of steel and iron add up....Quickly...

Some drag racers still do it, but will quickly fill the holes back up with contractors expanding foam to help eliminate chassis flexing. Doesn't help much, but it's better than having nothing there at all.

I would love to see an entire carbon fiber monocquotte . . . shell and chassis . . . mmmm . . . lightness.


-Stig
MachSchnell
11-30-2007, 10:06 PM
I read somewhere that the first E28 M5 was developed originally as a one off for Jacky Stewart.
GCR
12-01-2007, 12:21 AM
BMW South Africa built a few models unique to that market. There was the M engined E23, called a 745i (Right hand drive only), the E30 333i, an M30 engine coupe that used E28 5 stud hubs, Alpina intake etc, and the E12/8, an E12 body with E28 interior, instruments and electronics.

I've worked on them all, the 745i being a PITA. Imagine those headers wrapped around a steering box. It was tight enough that the heater valve required removal to lift the valve cover:wrench:

Alan.
88e28
12-01-2007, 12:46 AM
What til you see the Euro Alpina, Sweet car, fast too. I would load pics but bill still has not fixed my permissions.
Mitch
12-01-2007, 06:47 PM
Wayne, I'll check into it....

I love having Alan on here, he actually worked on these!
Paltteest
04-19-2011, 10:17 PM
best oodun
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