One of the most iconic BMW models of all time, the E31 8 Series was once considered a flagship model. While on the search for a second car to modify for his wife to drive to shows, Marcin came across an 840 Sport in Hellrot Red.
Marcin already had a highly modified E34 Touring and wanted another uncommon, old school car to match, so he and his wife could drive to shows together around the country. The E34 has since sold but Marcin already has another project on the go - check out his instagram for that.
It’s easy to see why the 8 Series - now affectionately known as ‘Lady in Red’ - was Marcin’s choice, fitting the requirements perfectly, old school with it’s pop-up headlights and boxed arches and rare with less than 1000 8 Series left in the UK and only around 350 of the 840Ci Sport variant.
When he got the car, in January 2019, Marcin’s first modification was an exhaust upgrade. This wasn’t a planned modification but unfortunately the Lady in Red needed a little loving and was missing a back box (oohwee!). A custom, OEM+ style exhaust was put together by Pipe Dynamics, though Marcin is already thinking about a further upgrade with an X-pipe and electronic valve control.
The first “real” modification was a set of AC Schnitzer Type 2 wheels to match the set already on Marcin’s E34. Purchased as a square set up, the boys at Fife Powdercoating helped with splitting and refurbishing the wheel with wider outer lips to fill out the boxed arches on the 840. Though again, Marcin has plans to widen the wheels further all round with lower offsets.
In order to get the car on the floor, Marcin got a little help from some friends around the world. The air ride kit wasn’t a straight fit and some parts had to be fabricated or customised. Marcin is thankful to the power of social media for helping him - @diflowar from France for blueprints, @seantroy_err in the USA for information and @ocv5387 in Italy who helped manufacture and supply parts. It all sounds a bit like the plot of a heist movie, but it’s true.
The Lady in Red has a bright future with Marcin, with plans to tidy up her engine bay, fix some little blemishes on her bodywork and trim the headliner and pillars with some luxurious alcantara. You’ll no doubt see Marcin and the Lady in Red at shows - whenever that may be.
Photos: Michael Scott
Words: Michael Scott
Location: Fife, Scotland
Spec List:
- 1997 BMW 840Ci Sport- Custom Air Suspension
- Airlift 3P management
- 18" AC Schnitzer Type 2 Wheels
- Custom Exhaust
- OEM Nardi BMW Steering Wheel
- OEM BMW Becker Stereo
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Additional Images
You might also recognise the Lady in Red as the star of our short film The Winter Warmer.
