Project Chapman

Project Chapman actually started because of my obsession with saving weight. I wanted to remove anything from my BMW that didn't contribute to performance, functionality, or even its appearance. At first, that meant my BMW i4 M50. I did run into a bit of resistance from my wife, though, because she prefers to keep the car looking original. And honestly, that's completely fair. Who doesn't like a clean, well-finished car? We just look at cars differently. For me, functionality has always come first.

That made me start thinking about what I really wanted to build. I've always wanted to go racing. When I was younger, I raced karts, and if I may say so myself, I was actually pretty good at it. The dream of owning and building a real BMW race car never really went away. The only difference was that I wasn't willing to spend a quarter of a million dollars to make that dream happen.

My search started with older BMW 3 Series models. Then I looked at newer 3 Series cars, and eventually I found myself looking at the 4 Series. They're modern enough to make an incredible platform, but old enough to have become affordable. Depending on the model, they're roughly ten to fifteen years old, which makes them a perfect starting point for a project like this.

From there, the vision became clearer and clearer. I want to build a car that stays as close as possible to the spirit of the BMW M4 GT4. It doesn't have to be an exact replica. What matters to me is capturing the look and philosophy of the race car while still being unmistakably recognizable as a BMW. I don't want an over-the-top body kit that hides the original design. I want it to look as if BMW could have built it this way themselves.

That also means removing everything that serves no real purpose. Sound insulation, unnecessary trim, and every component that adds weight without adding value. The entire project revolves around performance, low weight, aerodynamics, and functionality. At the same time, those functional upgrades—like a large rear wing, a wider stance, and proper aerodynamic components—are exactly what make the car look even better in my eyes.

The name Project Chapman was an obvious choice. It's inspired by Colin Chapman, my namesake and the founder of Lotus. He became famous for the idea that performance doesn't just come from adding power, but from removing weight. "Simplify, then add lightness." That philosophy has always resonated with me, and it forms the foundation of this entire project.

And that's how Project Chapman was born.

A cluttered garage with shelves holding various items, a sign that reads 'Roper', and a blue vehicle lift. The floor has dirt and debris, and there are fluorescent lights on the ceiling.
A cluttered garage storage space with shelves filled with various items including boxes, tools, and bottles. A blue hydraulic lift is centered in the room, and there are fluorescent lights on the ceiling. The floor has some stains and scattered objects.
A black sports car parked in front of a brick house with a garage, on an asphalt driveway surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
A brick garage with a brown door, two outdoor wall lights, and a shingled roof in front of trees and a blue sky.
A garage with a car lift, shelves, and various items. The floor has oil or grease stains and some debris. Thegarage door is open, showing trees outside.
Black BMW car parked on a patch of grass and asphalt next to a brick building with two windows, a large tree, and some outdoor clutter in the background.
A residential garage with a brick exterior, a closed purple garage door, two black outdoor wall lanterns, a concrete driveway with drainage grate, and trees in the background.
A cute kitten with orange and white fur sitting against a light blue background, reaching up with its right paw.