Final week, I took you behind the scenes at Vink Motorsport, a BMW-centric race automotive store within the Netherlands. Right here, Ton Vink and his group meticulously construct and restore traditional machines from motorsport’s golden eras, getting ready them for historic racing meets throughout Europe.
In that characteristic, I showcased a number of vehicles presently within the store. As we speak, let’s delve deeper into 4 extra Vink Motorsport builds.
Crew Eggenberger Motorsport BMW E28
Coming into Vink Motorsport, the primary automotive that caught my eye was the Crew Eggenberger Motorsport BMW E28 that clinched the European Touring Automobile Championship (ETCC) in 1982. On the season’s begin, BMW confronted new Group A rules, rendering the sooner Group 2 635CSi unsuitable. Thus, the newly launched BMW E28 528i was chosen to compete.
Partnering with Switzerland’s Eggenberger Motorsport, BMW developed a equipment to rework the E28 for Group A touring automotive racing. To satisfy the 1,035kg weight restrict for its engine class, the automotive had all pointless elements eliminated. Moreover, its inline-six engine was expertly tuned to supply almost 240hp, up from the manufacturing mannequin’s 180hp.
Pushed by Umberto Grano and Helmut Kelleners, the E28 dominated the early rounds of the 1982 ETCC, profitable 5 consecutive races. Though no additional victories adopted, they amassed sufficient factors to safe the championship title.
In Vink Motorsport’s palms, the E28 has undergone a whole rebuild. A re-shell was obligatory attributable to in depth rust across the exterior of the unique physique, but many elements have been salvageable and reused. Components past restore have been recreated from authentic blueprints or donated from one other automotive.
Ton and the Vink group can remanufacture sure elements, reminiscent of uprights or entrance steering arms. They do that utilizing molds created from authentic elements of that period, replicating the manufacturing strategies utilized by BMW. Which means that many beforehand unavailable elements at the moment are accessible via channels like BMW Basic or the second-hand market.
BMW Alpina E30 DTM
Subsequent up is a mid-restoration BMW Alpina E30 DTM, considered one of solely two remaining (the opposite resides at Alpina). After its time within the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), this automotive was offered to a racing group in England, later ending up in a barn till Ton found it two years in the past.
Opposite to my perception within the existence of a number of Alpina E30 DTM vehicles, most are replicas; many have been even constructed by Ton himself. Nevertheless, this specific automotive was constructed and campaigned by Alpina within the 1987 and ’88 DTM seasons. It options many distinctive particulars like inexperienced mirrors, which have been deliberately chosen for simple identification throughout races.
One other notable element is the onboard radio, which Ton obtained throughout a go to to Alpina. A retired mechanic from the automotive’s racing period was current through the go to and identified the precise location of the radio’s mounting, with screw holes completely matching these on the chassis beneath the dashboard.
These wonderful tales, shared by Ton, spotlight his ardour for making certain historic accuracy in each mission he takes on.
BMW E36 325i Coupe DTM Linder
This automotive was unearthed in Thailand, the place a Vink Motorsport buyer bought it from a collector. Upon its return to the Netherlands, its dire state necessitated a whole restoration. After a meticulous chassis rebuild by Jan Buijs of Multi-tech, adhering to the unique specs, the automotive has simply returned from the paint store with recent coats of Jägermeister orange.
In Vink’s canteen, an array of mannequin vehicles features a scale model of this actual automobile, providing a glimpse of its future look.
Scattered across the store are numerous elements from the automotive, together with the hood on the primary flooring and the entrance bumper and rear hatch with a spoiler on one of many cabinets. As soon as the automotive takes form, I plan to return to Vink Motorsport and seize it in all its glory.
BMW M1 Procar
Lastly, we come to the BMW M1, which began as a manufacturing road automotive however is now present process a outstanding transformation right into a Procar – a transfer paying homage to what BMW Motorsport has achieved previously. Vink has been entrusted with this bold conversion, and progress is obvious within the array of elements lining the cabinets subsequent to the automotive. The one factor left to finish is the engine, which is presently being assembled.
The BMW M1 is critical as the primary to hold the enduring ‘M’ designation. Produced between 1978 and 1981 in collaboration with Lamborghini, a complete of 453 M1s have been constructed, with 399 being road vehicles and 54 devoted Procar variations commissioned for Group 5 racing. Whereas the precise variety of road M1s transformed into Procars is unknown, quickly, one other will be part of this elite group.
Keep tuned as this BMW M1 undergoes its beautiful transformation, including one more chapter to the storied legacy of considered one of BMW’s most legendary fashions.
I hope you’ve loved this second and last characteristic from my go to to Vink Motorsport. Huge due to Ton and the group for having us!
Jeroen Willemsen
Instagram: jaccojeroen
