The 1970s witnessed all-out domination by BMW in the all-important European Touring Car Championship (ETCC); its 3.0 CSL “Batmobile” secured six Drivers’ and six Manufacturers’ titles in just seven years.

However, the transition to Group A regulations in 1982 prompted a switch to the company’s new 3.5-litre 635 CSi model, the homologation of which led BMW Motorsport to produce approximately 50 competition chassis between 1983 and 1985.

Constructed across two distinct series, chassis E24-RA1-30 was a “late” first-series car initially delivered to Austrian gentleman driver, Karl Oppitzhauser, ahead of the 1984 ETCC season.

Duly prepared by its owner’s eponymous team—and carrying sponsorship from German DIY store chain Bauhaus—chassis E24-RA1-30 made its race debut in the 1984 500 km Monza, in which Oppitzhauser and co-driver Mario Zanuso finished 22nd overall.

The car contested a further 10 ETCC rounds over the next three seasons, with Oppitzhauser principally sharing driving duties ...