Like all good things in life, BMW’s motivation to build the M1 came from motorsport: The marque’s aging CSLs were no match for Porsche’s new 935, and BMW needed a mid-engined chassis to fit its twin-cam 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine. BMW’s Motorsport division contacted Lamborghini for help in homologating the proposed car, as 400 examples were needed. The wedge design was provided by Giorgetto Giugiaro’s ItalDesign firm, and final assembly took place at Karosserie Baur in Stuttgart.
Only 455 M1s were produced between 1978 and 1981, a number comprising 399 road and 56 race cars. Relatively few were imported into the United States, and as such, they remain somewhat elusive on these shores—furthering the desire held for them in the hearts of BMW enthusiasts.
Story by RM Sotheby’s
