Categories: Cars

BMW 1800 TI SA: A Racing Legend with South African Roots

The BMW 1800 TI SA is a fascinating chapter in the brand’s history, combining motorsport pedigree with market-specific adaptations. Built as a homologation special for BMW’s racing efforts, the TI SA also found success beyond the track, including a unique version tailored for South Africa. For South African buyers, the 1800 SA and 2000 SA offered a unique driving experience, reflecting BMW’s willingness to adapt to different markets. This gallery captures the essence of the 1800 TI SA, offering a glimpse into the engineering and passion that defined BMW in the 1960s.

In the early 1960s, BMW introduced the 1800 SA, a model specifically designed for the South African market. The “SA” stood for “Sudafrika” (South Africa in German) and highlighted the car’s focus on local buyers. These cars were right-hand drive, with headlights modified to comply with regional road regulations. The 1800 SA came equipped with a 1.8-liter engine producing 90 horsepower. Fun fact: Sonder Ausfühtung actually stands for “Special Version.”

The 1800 TI

In Europe, the BMW 1800 lineup was already making waves. Introduced in 1963, the standard 1800 TI (Turismo Internationale) offered a lively 90-horsepower engine. But BMW saw an opportunity to push the limits further with a racing-oriented version, the TI SA. Launched in 1964, the 1800 TI SA was developed for motorsport enthusiasts and privateer teams. BMW planned to build 500 TiSAs but only produced 200, making it a rare and highly specialized machine. The car received numerous upgrades to improve its performance:

Engine: A 1.8-liter inline-four with dual Weber DCOE 45 carburetors, delivering 130 horsepower and 157 Nm of torque, 6500 rpm.
Transmission: A close-ratio five-speed manual from Getrag, with optional gear ratios for different racing conditions.
Suspension and Brakes: Koni dampers, stiffer springs, and larger anti-sway bars, 19mm and 17 mm front and rear, and larger disc brakes
Optional: 75% limited-slip differential was optional
Performance: A top speed of 180 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 9 seconds.
Weight: 1,040 kg
Dimensions: Length 4,500 mm, Width 1,710 mm, Height 1,450 mm

The TI SA also featured a stripped-down design to save weight. It had no bumpers or wheel covers, a 105-liter fuel tank for endurance races, and a lightweight interior with racing seats and a prominent tachometer.The TI SA rolled on 14×5-inch wheels, fitted with Dunlop tires. To save weight, the body panels were made of thinner steel than those of other Neue Klasse models. TI SA was available only in German Racing Silver.

The 1800 TI/SA proved its worth on the track. It was instrumental in BMW’s racing success during the 1960s, including a second-place finish at the 24 Hours of Spa. In 1964, Hubert Hahne won the German national championship in a TI SA, cementing its reputation as a competitive racer. [Photos: BMW & BMW Classic]