I really hate how the quality of photos from the mid-late nineties makes it look like it might as well have been 1973. I mean, 1973 was about as far away from 1997 as 1997 is from now.... :(
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
We lived through the ’80s and ’90s and spent a lot of time with the era’s greatest hits–drove them, raced them, even knew them when they still had that new car smell. We fondly remember shopping for Kamei air dams, Hella lamps and 14-inch tires.
But were the cars of those times really that rad?
We wondered that ourselves, so we ditched the rose-colored glasses for a few to take a look back. Were they all winners, or did a few duds get released? Let’s slip on some Vans, break out the vinyl and take a trip back in time.
This week, we're looking at unusual BMW 318ti.
Back in the ’90s, the E36-chassis BMW M3 seemed like the one car that could do it all–and it did. It could comfortably devour a day on the interstate, handle any track event and win in nearly any venue, from local SCCA autocross up through IMSA pro endurance racing.
While we had a few M3 project cars over the years, the E36 that really stood out was our 318ti. We got this one new in 1997 and immediately prepared it for BMW CCA Club Racing–back when you could go wheel to wheel with stock seats and a bolt-in bar.
We fitted Konis, lowering springs, sticky Yokohamas and those timeless Forgeline wheels after hours in Tim’s old shop. I recall applying the vinyl in a dimly lit Sebring parking lot.
This was our first OBD-II project car, and I remember hearing that the sky was falling and the days of hotrodding had ended. We picked up some power with the usual suspects, meaning an exhaust and intake. At the time, chassis dynos were pretty new to our world.
The 318ti only came with the four-cylinder engine, and that 140 or so horsepower wasn’t exactly overwhelming–my best E.T. at the local drag strip was a 17.0–but the package was so easy to drive on track that you could just pound out the laps while hoping to keep up with a Mazda Protegé. Last I heard, ours was sitting at PTG, at the time home to BMW’s factory race program.
Verdict: In a world of sedans and coupes, be weird.
I really hate how the quality of photos from the mid-late nineties makes it look like it might as well have been 1973. I mean, 1973 was about as far away from 1997 as 1997 is from now.... :(
Is the 318ti the best BMW? No
Is the 318ti my favorite BMW? Absolutely
I recall that build. I remember it having an off the shelf bolt in cage.
Man, I remember being in Germany in 98-99 and these things were everywhere. I enjoyed driving them. That and the early A3's were awesome. Of course my company car wasn't any of those cool rides. It was a Barney Purple Passat.
In reply to BA5 :
FWIW, back then we mostly shot prints since it was faster and less expensive. However, we’d break out the chromes for shots destined for covers and really big layouts. Sometimes we shot medium format, too, if working with an outside shooter.
I shot this one in my old driveway. :)
Adrian_Thompson (Forum Supporter) said:I recall that build. I remember it having an off the shelf bolt in cage.
It had a bolt-in bar. Tim and I fit it in his old shop.
David S. Wallens said:I shot this one in my old driveway. :)
Looks like it was a fairly fast film as well?
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
Some of that grain is added to help the red title bar pop. I’m looking at the original scan right now, and it’s not bad. It’s a little sharper than what you see online.
I had forgeline rs on my galant vr4 because of builds like this and all the M3s, NSX and Supras of the era rocking them. I love that period look.
crankwalk (Forum Supporter) said:I had forgeline rs on my galant vr4 because of builds like this and all the M3s, NSX and Supras of the era rocking them. I love that period look.
Same–totally love the look. Sadly, that style is no longer in production (and, yes, I have lobbied for its return).
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