1987 was a good year for BMW enthusiasts.  Some 25 years ago, three very special BMW’s were unleashed on the motoring public, the E30 M3, the E28 M5 and the E24 M6.

Are you one of those that remember seeing the print advertisements of the day?  “Of the Zealots, By the Zealots, For the Zealots”?  The photo of a Red M6, Black M5 and White M3?

Perhaps you have seen or remember the “BMW believes life begins at 6,000 RPM’s” advertisement showing a White E30 M3.  Or even the advertisement showing a Red E30 M3, taking a corner with the left front wheel in the air.  “The BMW M3.  Because Anything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Fanatically.”

Tom Loeser Photographic

Every once in a great while the stars align and the automobile manufacturers introduce a car that just has that “WOW” factor. The original Shelby GT 350, the original Camaro Z-28, the E30 M3. Cars that are the first of their breed and that are considered benchmarks that other performance cars are measured against time and time again.

With it’s extended wheel arches to cover wider wheels and tires, a re-designed deck lid and spoiler, distinctive front and rear bumpers, the E30 M3 was, at the time, considered outlandish and “in your face”. That was at first glance.  When the hood was opened and you gazed onto the DOHC 4-cylinder, you knew this wasn’t just a car for the masses. It was intended for serious business, both on the street and on the track.

The BMW Car Club of America will be honoring the E30 M3 at this year’s Legends of the Autobahn West Coast Concours, held on August 19, 2011, at the Rancho Canada Golf Course located in Carmel Valley, California.

Hosted by the Central California Chapter of BMW CCA, the Legends of the Autobahn event has quickly become one of the “Must See” attractions held during the annual Monterey Historic Races weekend.

For information regarding the E30 M3 25th Anniversary celebration, please contact Fred Larimer at fred@fredlarimer.com

E30 M3 25th Anniversary Celebration