Martini Racing Group 2 Resurrection
Well, after it was found in Amsterdam on a used car lot, it was brought to CA to sit for a long time, waiting for it's day.
A year or so ago, all the Group 5 wide body stuff was removed, dismantled down to a rolling chassis, and sent to paint. Finally, it's back and we're scurrying to get it finished in time for Monterey.
345's!
And so it begins.
A year or so ago, all the Group 5 wide body stuff was removed, dismantled down to a rolling chassis, and sent to paint. Finally, it's back and we're scurrying to get it finished in time for Monterey.
345's!
And so it begins.
Last edited:
Awesome! Were you sitting on this surprise all this time?
It was sitting in the shop in the corner, I didn't know it was Willi Martini 's CSL. I just thought it was another e9 that was turned into a race car and forgotten about. I only learned about the real story recently when I asked where that car went. All of this is a way bigger deal than imagined. Art, who worked with BMW Motorsport back in the day is on board too. It's a thing of beauty. The rear wing was fitted yesterday and the parts will go to paint next week. I'm deep into Jeff Ireland's e30 Baur that he's taking to Monterey also, so I'll probably be joining the build after next week once I'm done with that build.
Last edited:
The great thing about having Art head the build/resurrection is he is keeping everything exactly as it would have been done originally. We powder coat pretty much everything. He is rattle-canning the subframes, because he says that's the way it was done when the car was originally built. The only "modern" things that will be added or changed are mandatory things like the seat, cage, and other safety devices since the original systems wouldn't be legal by today's standards. Yay!
Out of curiosity, white and green don't really say "Martini Racing"...
Are we talking about the well known Martini as in the aperitif maker and sponsor who sponsored many Lancias and Porsches (and currently Williams F1) or is this an unrelated Martini?
Are we talking about the well known Martini as in the aperitif maker and sponsor who sponsored many Lancias and Porsches (and currently Williams F1) or is this an unrelated Martini?
Originally I was led to believe that Martini Racing and Willi Martini were related, but that is mis-information. Willi was a tuner and driver based near the Nurburgring. This is the CSL that was a BMW M/Willi Martini co-project.
Last edited:
Art, who is part of the (re)build, is actually the guy who originally designed and made the flares and front splitter on this car in the '70s. He was one of the founding members of BMW Motorsport and was responsible for aerodynamics on the early cars, building wings and flares and wot-not.
Last edited:
Very interesting. I did not know they ever had another color scheme.
I wouldn't say that this was another color scheme, as this was the only one done in this color.
Cool bit of trivia!
floridabmx
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,075
- Reaction score
- 395
i love the gp2 kit. what are you doing/have done with the gp5 kit? not for sale is it? 
I can find out for you and let you know.i love the gp2 kit. what are you doing/have done with the gp5 kit? not for sale is it?
Bill, it looks fantastic!
BTW just about everything on this motor (and the whole car for that matter) is period original. The block, the head, the crankshaft, the cam, the headers, the Alpina slide throttle and oil pump, the injection pump... all Group 2 parts from the '70s.