Sold | Offered for sale directly from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Ordered new by Peter Gregg, painted to the Frank Stella 'Polar Coordinates' design , 1979 BMW M1 Pro-car

Page Contents

Track live values and receive listing alerts

Enquire Now

View All Images

£521,079

Offered for sale directly from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Ordered new by Peter Gregg, painted to the Frank Stella 'Polar Coordinates' design , 1979 BMW M1 Pro-car

United States • 18 Aug 2011

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1979 BMW M1 Procar, chassis number 9430-1053, was ordered new by Peter Gregg and painted in Frank Stella's 'Polar Coordinates' design. Offered directly from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, this unique 'Art Car' represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of both automotive and art history.

Condition

7

The car has been well-maintained and sympathetically serviced, but the paintwork is original and shows some age. There are also minor road rash and wear on the interior, but nothing excessive. Public driving debut again when it will be seen at the Monterey Pre-Reunion races, the weekend preceding the auction.

/ 10

Transmission:

Manual

Chassis No:

9430-1053

Odometer:

[Odometer Reading]

Reg Number:

[Reg Number]

RHD/LHD:

LHD

If there is one question that pervades the car collecting hobby it is 'is it Art?', in this case, there can be no denying it, in fact it is arguable that this is one of the greatest expressions of the car as art that exists anywhere in the world.

Bonhams is truly honored to present this fabulous BMW on behalf of the Solomon R.

Guggenheim Museum.

Its proceeds will be used to fund other acquisitions.

The BMW M1 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.

Development was contracted first to Lamborghini and then to Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign, although almost all cars ended up being finished in Germany.

Giugiaro's compact cou...