BMW M1

In the hot summer of 1976, the bosses of the Munich automotive giant gave the green light to the development of a sports coupe for racing in the GT class.

Thanks to this project, not only the supercar itself, a competitor to Ferrari and Lamborghini, but also a whole division for the preparation of sports cars, now known as BMW Motorsport, was formed. And besides, a whole racing series was born: Procar.

To compete in the GT Championship in Group 4, 400 of the road version of the M1 had to be built. They decided to build the car from scratch, and they planned to gain advantages over competitors due to the mid-engine layout of the car.

The famous Giorgetto Giugiaro from ItalDesign was responsible for the appearance of the sports car.

The Motorsport Department prepared the car for racing: the power was increased to 460 hp, acceleration to 100 kph (62 mph) took 4.5 s, and the maximum speed reached 193 mph (310 kph). This was achieved by optimizing the intake and exhaust tracts and changing the valve timing.

But the car performed very unconvincingly. Despite the abundance of plastic parts, the M1 was too heavy, and the clutch and brakes were inexcusably tight.

After the launch of the coupe, the company found itself in a difficult situation: the GT loses races, road versions are not sold due to a bad reputation, it is only possible to go to the rally on asphalt stages.

And then a clever move was made: the creation of its own racing series and performances "warming up" Formula 1! This served as terrific publicity, and people began to buy cars, but by 1981, BMW switched to participating in F1, and the M1 was forgotten.

Third-party teams such as Schnitzer or Hamann have driven the M1 in the World Championship in Group 5, for which they turbocharged the engine up to 850 hp.

The speed of such a car reached 224 mph (360 kph), but private traders also did not achieve results, and the car quickly became history.

Those who wanted to test the M1 on the tracks in the future could not do it: a total of 54 for motorsport and 403 civilian vehicles were made, and the few that survived were already in the tenacious paws of collectors.

The M1 looked very stylish and attracted the eyes of street onlookers, but when driving in the city, this low and wide car showed serious flaws. For example, due to the low seating position, mid-engine layout, and massive rear pillars, rearward visibility was purely symbolic.

However, despite all the cons and failures, at this time, the M1 is a very rare and valuable collector's car. Firstly, there are simply a few of them, and secondly, how many similar coupes were made in Bavaria?

There was, however, also a BMW 850, but this is a completely different story—not so sad, but not so interesting either.

Racing History of BMW M1

In the late 1970s, BMW had an ambitious vision to create a car that combines performance, innovation, and style, suitable for both road and track.

The result was the breathtaking BMW M1, a mid-engine sports car that instantly captured the hearts of automotive enthusiasts.

With its visionary design and state-of-the-art engineering, the BMW M1 was destined for greatness on the racing circuit.

In 1978, the M1 made its much-anticipated debut in motorsport as the official pace car for the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco. This marked the beginning of the M1's foray into the adrenaline-fueled world of racing.

Soon enough, the BMW M1 found its place in the realm of endurance racing. In 1980, the M1 Procar Championship was established, showcasing the raw power and agility of this magnificent machine.

The Procar series featured a grid of identically modified M1s, driven by some of the world's best racing drivers, including Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Clay Regazzoni.

Photo: "BMW M1 119" by Jaeger-Meister

These fiercely competitive races thrilled fans around the globe, as the drivers pushed the limits of the M1's capabilities.

Not content with dominating just one racing series, BMW set its sights on conquering the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1979, the legendary BMW M1 became the first German car to participate in the renowned endurance race, showcasing its prowess against renowned rivals.

Although it faced technical issues and unfortunate retirements in its early attempts, the M1 showcased its potential and resilience, laying the groundwork for BMW's future endurance racing endeavors.

As the years passed, the M1 underwent further enhancements and modifications, giving birth to the powerful BMW M1 Procar Evolution.

This upgraded version boasted increased horsepower, enhanced aerodynamics, and improved handling, catapulting the M1 to even greater heights of success.

Throughout its racing career, the BMW M1 amassed an impressive list of achievements, including class wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, victories in the Procar Championship, and numerous accolades in various sports car racing events.

Each race and triumph solidified the M1's reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the track.

Unfortunately, the M1's racing journey came to an end in the mid-1980s, as BMW shifted its focus to other motorsport disciplines.

However, its legacy lives on in the hearts of BMW enthusiasts and racing fans, forever immortalizing the BMW M1 as a true racing icon.

The racing history of the BMW M1 is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the unwavering spirit of competition. With its captivating design, exhilarating performance, and unwavering reliability, the M1 left an indelible mark in the annals of motorsports history.

It continues to be an inspiration for future generations of racing machines, embodying the essence of BMW's racing heritage.

BMW M1 Prices

Due to its limited supply and exclusive nature, the price of a BMW M1 can vary significantly depending on factors such as the condition, mileage, and any additional features or modifications.

On the used car market, you can expect to see prices ranging anywhere from around $300,000 to well over $700,000 for a well-maintained and pristine BMW M1.

However, it's essential to keep in mind that prices can fluctuate and that certain rare editions or low-mileage examples can command an even higher premium.

The allure of the BMW M1 lies not only in its performance and iconic design but also in its historical significance as BMW's first mid-engine sports car. These factors contribute to the exclusivity and desirability of the model, making it a coveted gem among collectors and enthusiasts alike.