- One of the last of the original motorsport-inspired BMW 5 Series models unearthed in South Africa.
- Car number 100 of South Africa-only “homologation” special built at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn to be subjected to full restoration.
In December 2018 BMW South Africa announced that it would start restoring the legendary BMW 530 Motorsport Limited Edition (MLE). The restoration process began and included a special appearance by two retired BMW employees who worked at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn in the 1970s and built the legendary cars.
Three months ago marked the start of the restoration process and included a special appearance by two retired BMW employees (Walter Mahlangu and Jacob Matabane) who worked at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn in the 1970s and built the legendary cars.
When BMW South Africa wanted to go racing in the mid-1970s, the company sought out the famous racing driver and Head of BMW Motorsport Jochen Neerpasch. Shortly thereafter, two of the first-generation BMW 5 Series (E12) race cars were prepared to compete in the flagship Modified Production Series in South Africa.
The BMW 530 Motorsport Limited Edition (MLE) rolled up to the starting line in the Modified Production Series in 1976. Fifteen wins from 15 consecutive starts followed, and BMW stamped its authority on the racing series with three championship titles in three years. The BMW 530 MLE was the most successful racing BMW 5 Series in history when it was retired in 1985
