Classic BMW 635 CSi race car heads to Silverstone Classic from New Zealand

An historic BMW 635 CSi racer from the 1980s is set to make its European debut at this year’s Silverstone Classic.

The black and gold, JPS-liveried BMW has never set foot outside of Australasia – where it participated in a number of racing series throughout the years.

New Zealand racing legend Jim Richards – the car’s original star driver – will once again get behind the wheel of the BMW 635 CSi for the Silverstone event.

Richards, who has won the famous Bathurst 1000 event seven times, first raced the BMW in 1983 when it was a part of the Frank Gardner Racing team.

After racing rather unsuccessfully under Group C touring car regulations, Australia then adopted Group A regulations in 1985.

Following this, the BMW went on to win seven of the ten rounds on the race calendar, and also claimed the inaugural Australian Touring Car Championship title.

While it was still competing in Group A specification, New Zealand collector Peter Sturgeon – who still owns the car to this day – acquired it.

Sturgeon converted the BMW back to Group C specification after Richards and Pip Baker – who worked with Frank Gardner – convinced him to do so.

Sturgeon said: “Pip adopted the project and it took him almost 18 months to complete. It was worth all the effort, though, as the final result is utterly amazing.

“The sound of the straight six, twin-cam engine revving at more than 8000rpm is something all petrol heads should hear.

“In Group C form, this is the one and only 24-valve engined BMW 635 ever raced and to have Jim back driving it is very, very special.”

Richards added: “It’s a beautiful car. I’m so glad we persuaded Peter to put it back in what we called Group C specification, as those rules were a bit more liberal than Group A, more widely used at the time.

“It now looks absolutely stunning with its big arches and a 24-valve motor which revs to around 8,400rpm and sounds glorious even with a muffler.

“I’ve been invited to Goodwood a couple of times but have never been to the Silverstone Classic before. I’m told it’s another of the great events, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Richards will take to the track against a range of Ford Sierra RS500s, as well as other period Group 1, Group A and Group C racers at the Silverstone Classic.

The event runs from July 28 to July 30.