BMW Group SA produced the first-gen 5-Series in the ’70s and 80’s, but in the spirit of “Win on (Saturday), Sell on Monday”, the Rosslyn-based brand produced a pair of homologation specials to take the E12 racing: the 530 MLE and 535i Lightweight.
Today, BMW is a desirable premium car brand in South Africa. But in the early ’70s, the South African division was a fledgling brand that had begun producing the E12-generation 5 Series.
In a stroke of marketing genius, the local subsidiary of the Munich-based brand decided to raise its public profile by developing homologation specials (derivatives of which a specific number needed to be built before they would be allowed to compete in national saloon racing) to compete in local motorsport.
In the 2nd instalment of a six-part video series, in which we take a deep dive into the history of this iconic brand in South Africa, Jacob Moshokoa presents the legendary 530 MLE and 535i Lightweight (both unique-so-SA derivatives of the E12-generation 5 Series) that were developed and built here in Mzansi.
Jacob also chats with renowned BMW racing driver and former head of vehicle testing, Geoff Goddard. Learning about the local ingenuity and resourcefulness that led to the creation of 530 MLE and 535i Lightweight.
Keen on buying the BMW book mentioned in the video? Buy it here!
Order an A2 or A3 limited edition print of the BMW 530 MLE from SentiMETAL
Classic BMW 530 MLE: Track Drive [w/Video]
The Greatest BMWs Ever (from a South African point of view)
Order a 1/18 scale model of a BMW from SentiMETAL
Other ‘BMW 50 Years’ series episodes:
Mzansi’s love for BMW M cars – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 6)
The story behind BMW’s iconic TV adverts + BMW SA exports – Chronicles (Ep 5)
BMW 333i and 325iS – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 4)
The M1-engined 745i – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 3)
Celebrating 50 years of BMW in SA – BMW Group SA Chronicles (Ep 1)
