A proposed Group 5 ‘Silhouette Formula’ for production-based cars triggered the M1 program in the mid-1970s, a mid-engined concept car designed in-house at BMW by Paul Bracq providing the basis. Ex-racing driver Jochen Neerpasch was responsible for initiating this ambitious project, whose aims included taking on rivals Porsche in the World Sportscar Championship and, ultimately, victory at Le Mans. M1 development was contracted first to Lamborghini and then to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design, although almost all cars ended up being built by BMW in Germany. Giugiaro’s compact coupé bodywork in glassfiber was wrapped around a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, while a twin-overhead-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder version of BMW’s 3.5-litre six, driving via a five-speed ZF transaxle, provided the motive power. The M1’s wedge-shaped coachwork proved highly efficient aerodynamically, needing very little in the way of additional spoilers and wings in race configuration. Lamborghini’s Gianpaolo Dallara was responsible for developing the suspension, which followed racing practice by using unequal-length wishbones at front and rear. Soberly trimmed in black and grey, the M1’s interior was exceptionally well equipped for a sports car, featuring Recaro seats, air conditioning, electric windows, remotely operated door mirrors and heated rear screen. First shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the road-going version came with 277bhp and a top speed of 160mph. Only ever intended as a limited-edition model, the M1 ceased production after only 456 examples had been built, a minimum of 400 being required for homologation. In the event, the abandonment of the Group 5 Silhouette Formula robbed the car of its raison d’être, though the M1-only Procar Series run at Grand Prix races in 1980 and ’81 provided BMW Motorsport with a valuable showcase by way of consolation. This left-hand drive M1’s first owner (in the USA) purchased the car from Motorcar Gallery of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 28th December 1990 at which time the odometer read 5,859 miles. The present (second US) owner purchased it in November 2000 at 11,747 miles, while the current reading is 13,009. This M1’s already superlative specification has been improved upon by Dinan Cars of Morgan Hill, California - North America’s foremost BMW performance specialists - who ‘smog converted’ the car by installing a US-market M6 fuel injection system and catalytic converter. This digital technology enables the M1 to pass the emissions tests while both increasing power and improving durability. Other enhancements fitted while in current ownership include Phillips xenon headlight bulbs and a Nakamichi AM/FM/CD stereo system, which were installed in December 2000. Finished in white with black leather interior – the ‘classic’ color combination for this model – the car is offered complete with tool kit, all service records from May 1992 onwards and Certificate of Title. An important landmark in BMW’s history, and in particular of its involvement with motor sport in the post-war era, the M1 is already highly collectible and is surely destined to become increasingly sought after by discerning aficionados of the marque.
A proposed Group 5 ‘Silhouette Formula’ for production-based cars triggered the M1 program in the mid-1970s, a mid-engined concept car designed in-house at BMW by Paul Bracq providing the basis. Ex-racing driver Jochen Neerpasch was responsible for initiating this ambitious project, whose aims included taking on rivals Porsche in the World Sportscar Championship and, ultimately, victory at Le Mans. M1 development was contracted first to Lamborghini and then to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design, although almost all cars ended up being built by BMW in Germany. Giugiaro’s compact coupé bodywork in glassfiber was wrapped around a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, while a twin-overhead-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder version of BMW’s 3.5-litre six, driving via a five-speed ZF transaxle, provided the motive power. The M1’s wedge-shaped coachwork proved highly efficient aerodynamically, needing very little in the way of additional spoilers and wings in race configuration. Lamborghini’s Gianpaolo Dallara was responsible for developing the suspension, which followed racing practice by using unequal-length wishbones at front and rear. Soberly trimmed in black and grey, the M1’s interior was exceptionally well equipped for a sports car, featuring Recaro seats, air conditioning, electric windows, remotely operated door mirrors and heated rear screen. First shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the road-going version came with 277bhp and a top speed of 160mph. Only ever intended as a limited-edition model, the M1 ceased production after only 456 examples had been built, a minimum of 400 being required for homologation. In the event, the abandonment of the Group 5 Silhouette Formula robbed the car of its raison d’être, though the M1-only Procar Series run at Grand Prix races in 1980 and ’81 provided BMW Motorsport with a valuable showcase by way of consolation. This left-hand drive M1’s first owner (in the USA) purchased the car from Motorcar Gallery of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 28th December 1990 at which time the odometer read 5,859 miles. The present (second US) owner purchased it in November 2000 at 11,747 miles, while the current reading is 13,009. This M1’s already superlative specification has been improved upon by Dinan Cars of Morgan Hill, California - North America’s foremost BMW performance specialists - who ‘smog converted’ the car by installing a US-market M6 fuel injection system and catalytic converter. This digital technology enables the M1 to pass the emissions tests while both increasing power and improving durability. Other enhancements fitted while in current ownership include Phillips xenon headlight bulbs and a Nakamichi AM/FM/CD stereo system, which were installed in December 2000. Finished in white with black leather interior – the ‘classic’ color combination for this model – the car is offered complete with tool kit, all service records from May 1992 onwards and Certificate of Title. An important landmark in BMW’s history, and in particular of its involvement with motor sport in the post-war era, the M1 is already highly collectible and is surely destined to become increasingly sought after by discerning aficionados of the marque.
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