BMW M1 to Set Record Price at Auction
On December 10th during the RM Sotheby’s Art of the Automobile exhibition and auction in New York, a rare BMW M1 goes on the block. Originally priced in 1981 at $87,000, this pristine, low mileage supercar can realistically garner between $800,000 and $1,000,000 at the auction.
If the original management and engineering team behind the M1 were sitting in the audience, they would most likely be astounded that this car is now so greatly revered. The BMW M1 did not exactly have the smoothest genesis.
Related: BMW M1: A Sports Car Ahead of its Time
Back in the 1970’s BMW formed a new racing subsidiary with the idea of eventually fielding a Formula 1 team. As plans progressed, the group decided to stay closer to their core business by building a car that could enter Group 5 racing but also be street worthy.
With that mission in mind, BMW set out to create 400 M1’s that would be both race track eligible and street legal. Unfortunately, there were some early bumps in the road as development progressed.
BMW partnered with Lamborghini to build the chassis for them. Unfortunately, with Lamborghini facing bankruptcy proceedings, delays became inevitable. The Italian manufacturer completed the engineering on the M1 but never built any chassis.
Baur was soon contracted to do the coachbuilding for the M1, using a potpourri of parts and pieces from numerous manufacturers. The one thing that did remain consistent was the development of the M1’s remarkable engine.
The engine was designed and built by BMW’s Motorsport GmbH. It became the company’s first M production motor. Created as a 3.5 liter straight six generating 277hp and speeds up to 160mph, in racing trim it upped its game by making 470hp and producing speeds close to 200mph.
With the M1 ready for its official rollout, more problems emerged. Created to compete in FIA Group 5 racing, the final version of the track worthy edition no longer met the groups regulations and couldn’t be raced.
With a plethora of early stumbles, BMW decided not to let something as simple as allowing a car they specifically designed to compete in Group 5 to fail, they did the next best thing. With no viable alternatives in sight, the powers that be in Germany decided to create their own series!
The BMW M1 Procar Championship was inaugurated in 1979, exclusively limited to spec M1’s. The series allowed Formula 1 driver’s automatic entry into the series based on their seasons points. This proved to be a great idea with the iconic Niki Lauda winning the first championship. Other great F1 drivers to grace the wheels of the Procar M1’s included Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Alan Jones.
The series finally came to a close in 1981 when BMW decided to steer their major efforts towards F1.
The car going on the block this December is Artic white with a black-checkered upholstery. With less than 425 miles on the speedometer this M1 is certainly one of the most original and low mileage examples in the world.
It still features its original drivetrain and gently aged cosmetic livery.
Let the bidding begin!
