BMW and its high-performance M division spawned a legend in 1983 by slotting a modified version of the 3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine sourced from the M1 mid-engine supercar into the elegant 6-Series coupe (chassis code E24). This race-bred powertrain was paired with a five-speed manual transmission and produced an impressive 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque in US-market examples like the one offered here. Dubbed the M6, this new coupe sat atop BMW’s production-car range and proved to be a tremendous success, with successive generations following the original model after it ceased production in 1989.
The M6 was the second-fastest BMW ever built when it debuted, trailing only the exotic M1 as it topped out at more than 155 mph. To complement its stunning performance, the M6 was outfitted with all the luxurious accoutrements BMW customers were accustomed to, making it the ideal companion for extended road trips in high-speed comfort. Out of the 5,855 models BMW produced from 1983 through 1989, only 1,767 are believed to have been US-specification.
Story by RM Sotheby’s
