IN 2000 BMW North America tasked Prototype Technology Group (PTG) with building a E46 M3 for Rolex Grand-Am Series. The company swapped the factory inline-six for a 4.9 L S62 V8 sourced from a BMW M5. PTG removed the variable valve timing system (VANOS) and installed BMW Motorsport racing camshafts. Behind the motor is a Hewland six-speed manual transmission. The creation debuted at the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona with drivers Terry Borcheller, Toney Jennings, Boris Said, and Hans Stuck. Although it did not finish, it was still fast enough for officials to inflict a weight penalty and intake restrictors. The car went on to win at Homestead, Lime Rock, and Mid-Ohio. In 2018 it was sold at RM Sotherby’s for $196,000. Recently the car visited Mugello circuit for the 2024 Mugello Classic.
Source: NM2255 and RM Sotherby’s