Chassis No.

WBS59910004301450


Engine No.

M88-182 (See Text)



By the late 1970s, BMW's "M" division had firmly established itself as a world-class force in motorsport, following a legacy of success that began with the lightweight 328s in the 1940 Mille Miglia and continued with the 700 RS and the BMW 2002 in the 1960s and early 1970s.

This momentum culminated in the creation of the BMW M1, the division's first fully independent engineering project.

Designed to compete with Porsche in Group 4 racing, the M1 featured a mid-engine layout, a tubular space frame chassis by Gianpaolo Dallara, and a striking wedge design by Giorgetto Giugiaro, which made it as aggressive looking as anything on the road.

Production delays stemming from a partnership with Lamborghini led to a collaborative effort among TIR, ItalDesign, Baur, and BMW Motorsport, resulting in the production of 453 cars between 1978 and 1981, including road and racing versions.

The M1 also played a key role in the Procar...