Not to be confused with the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, the BMW M1 was the result of an agreement to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation in 1978 to rule sports car racing. It was the only mid-engine BMW to ever be mass-produced. Only 456 M1s were built from 1978 to 1981, making it one of BMW’s rarest models.
Its unique and eye catching shape was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the man responsible for designing the Lotus Esprit and Maserati Merak.
The mid-engine M1 sports car with its timeless design and motorsport history is one of the milestones in the company’s heritage. The BMW M1 has a characteristic harmony combining aesthetics and sportiness. The body styling masterminded by Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro gave the BMW M1 – only 1.14 metres in height – an Italian profile.
The car’s inline 6-cylinder engine was, by contrast, a masterpiece from Munich. Just like the vehicle concept, the drive technology was conceived to master the challenges on the racetrack and meet the requirements for being licensed as a road-going vehicle. The series version of the BMW M1 generated power of 277hp and had a top speed of more than 260km/h, making it the fastest German street-legal sports car.
In 1979 and 1980, a racing series preceding the European Formula One World Championship events was held specifically for the BMW M1. The fastest Formula One pilots of the day, such as Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet, appeared here in a thrilling duel against private drivers. A total of only 54 Procars were built, each with its own, individual style. The Procar BMW M1 lined up at the start with an engine packing up to 490hp, with turbocharging increasing the power to between 850 and 950hp for racing in accordance with the regulations for Group 5.
