BMW M1 — The Supercar That Started It All

Overview

The BMW M1 (1978-1981) was BMW's first and only mid-engined supercar. It was designed for Group 4/5 racing homologation and is the car that established BMW Motorsport (now BMW M) as a standalone division.

Specifications

• Engine: M88/1 3.5L inline-six, DOHC, 24 valves
• Power: 277 hp (road car), 470 hp (Procar), 850+ hp (Group 5 turbo)
• Layout: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
• Transmission: ZF 5-speed manual
• Weight: 1,300 kg
• Top speed: 262 km/h
• 0-100 km/h: 5.6 seconds
• Production: Only 453 units

The Troubled Development

The M1 had a complicated birth:

1. BMW commissioned Lamborghini to build the car
2. Lamborghini's financial troubles delayed production
3. BMW took production in-house, with Baur (coachbuilder) assembling the bodies
4. By the time production started, the racing regulations had changed
5. BMW created the Procar Championship specifically for the M1

The Procar Championship (1979-1980)

BMW created a one-make racing series as a support race for Formula 1:

• Identical M1 race cars
• F1 drivers competed alongside privateers
• Winners included Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Hans-Joachim Stuck
• Spectacular racing that showcased the M1

Design

• Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro (Italdesign)
• Fiberglass body panels over a tubular steel space frame
• Pop-up headlights
• Iconic BMW kidney grille (small, elegant)
• Mid-engine layout with the inline-six mounted longitudinally

Legacy

• Established BMW Motorsport GmbH (now BMW M GmbH)
• The M88 engine evolved into the S38 (E28/E34 M5)
• Proved BMW could build a world-class sports car
• One of the most collectible BMWs — values exceed €500,000 for good examples
• The M1 Procar liveries (especially the Andy Warhol art car) are iconic

The M1 is where the M legend began.