RICCI’S GARAGE
It’s been exactly a year since the last BMW E update and there’s a very simple reason for that Of all the projects I’ve started it’s the one that terrifies and excites me the most And both these feelings tend to cancel each other out most months from the sheer excitement of wanting to see its progress to the outright fear knowing that progress usually follows with an invoice
But this is a setup that seems to work nicely for both me and the team at CNC Motorsport There has never been a formal deadline or finish point for the M CSi I originally took the car there for some jazzy centre locks and a rollcage but inevitably excitement got the better of me and quickly it expanded to a full bare shell rebuild instead
I’m never going to apologise for that the work Alan Andrew and William do over at CNC Motorsport is droolworthy Not only do they prep and rebuild Group A classics like the E RS and SD they actually machine and engineer most of the parts themselves From wheel centres and hubs right through to brake calipers suspension struts and more Knowing the kind of work they do means there’s no need to harass them daily for updates it’ll be ready when it’s ready
However this attitude has been quite easy to keep a lid on while the car has been in pieces At that point of a build where various bits of rust are being cut out and rewelded you know you’re still a long way from finish but also too far committed to change your mind and turn back
Where this attitude starts to lose its appeal is the moment the E begins to resemble a car again Something Andrew triggered earlier in the month after sending across the pictures above and casually stating the engine was being dropped back in place too Suddenly the calm approach of “It’ll be ready when it’s ready” was a distant memory “Where shall I drive it first?” I thought “Wonder if I should book a track day for spring just in case Can’t hurt ” Keep in mind this is a car I’ve owned for five years and driven exactly eight miles
In reality this next phase might just be the most terrifying to date Nobody wants delays during reassembly garage space is limited and the team at CNC Motorsport have plenty of high profile racecars to prep and assemble this year But the next step of progress requires all the new parts I’ve been dreading buying Race spec brakes semislick tyres proper bucket seats a full exhaust system and an uprated radiator for cooling to name but a few All of which I’m yet to buy and all of which can’t really be done cheaply when the rest of the build is at such a high standard
My solution to this is simple sell the old Ferrari racer A good solution actually because in addition to the M CSi I’ve got an R GTR and SEL Benz both in stages of build that need a good chunk of money hosing at them Unfortunately shifting a yearold racecar during winter with cheap lending a distant memory and energy prices creeping back up isn’t exactly a quick or easy task But after five years of E ownership and eight miles of use it’s about time I actually pulled my finger out and finished a car
Internationally renowned photographer Mark has been working with TG for many, many years. When not taking photos he’s buying inappropriate cars. Here he shares his addiction with the world