Bmw s m division has produced some truly iconic performance cars. Bmw will host a procar revival in july celebrating the m1, a car with a limited but memorable racing history with its 3. The hagerty classic car valuation tool is designed to help you learn how to value your 1981 bmw m1 and assess the current state of the classic car market. Having started racing competitively in 1979 at the riverside 6 hours with a daytona 365 gtb4 daytona, crevier was looking for something faster and more competitive for the 1982 imsa gto championship, and this m1 procar was the perfect tool for the job. Experience some laps on the german norisring in a lengendary bmw m1 procar. In addition to this, bmw roots album presents the full package for a driver that wants a car with two distinct personalities. In this new comparison test from car and driver, the bmw m340i takes on its newest rival, the genesis g70 3.
What makes this car so astonishingly good, even by 2012 standards. May 15, 20 perhaps this occurred to andy warhol when bmw asked him to paint its m1 group 4 race car i. Bmw motorsport had planned to build the racing m1s to fia group 5 regulations, but a rule change. Jan 30, 2014 the bmw m1 procar championship, sometimes known simply as procar, was a onemake auto racing series created by jochen neerpasch,1 head of bmw motorsport gmbh, the racing division of automobile. All the rumors put the coupe on arrival in 2023 or 2024. Its also never been officially registered, which in itself is quite remarkable. However, according to car and driver, its even quicker still and, more impressively, fast even when moving laterally. This rare bmw m1 built for landspeed records was lost for. This is the only time that one of the factory artists ever created another art car for a private individual.
Brief affair the bmw m1 procar championship drivetribe. Unique preproduction model built in procar specification by the bmw factory motorsport department in munich history first delivered by bmw to niki lauda as a show car, then to the walter wolf racing team and subsequently to the ac schnitzer team as a show car this is the. The ahg bmw motorsports division president peter gartemann list the modifications as follows. Sep 10, 2019 bmw m1 reborn as 591bhp twoseat plugin hybrid. In the december 1981 issue, car and driver magazine was even more effusive, saying, the m1 is the absolute pinnacle of hyperfast street cars. The experts have spoken the bmw m1 is the simply the best supercar of its time. Initially working with lamborghini, bmw designed the m1, its. I also really like that pantera next to it as well. While a good car in its own right, the x1 is a frontwheel drivebased crossover that. The best road cars ever developed by bmws m division. The design was applied by stella to a bmw m1 pro car for his friend and art car driver, peter gregg. There are currently 6 bmw m1 cars as well as thousands of other iconic classic and collectors.
That could stand to make this the most expensive m1 ever sold. The first superbimmer since the m1 future cars posted by car and driver february 27, 2015 02. The m1 road car was built from 1978 to 1981 with a tubular steel space frame designed by the automotive genius, gianpaolo dallara, and a fibreglass body that was penned by the great giorgetto giugiaro at italdesign. We bag most individual magazines in plastic as soon as we get them to keep them in the best possible shape for you. There are currently 6 bmw m1 cars as well as thousands of other iconic classic and collectors cars for sale on classic. Even so, the car itself was stunning to look at and offered excellent performance for its day. In 1978 bmw launched its new midengined sports coupe model the project e26 or bmw m1. The unveiling of the new bmw concept comes more than 11 years after the german car maker last paid tribute to its original m car, with the unveiling of the m1. Bmw intended the m1 to compete in fia group 4, a class of exotic machinery that, a decade before its 1979 debut, had included legends such as the ford gt40 and the porsche 917. Thrilling battles for position between formula 1 drivers and international privateers in identical bmw m1 cars made every race in the series, launched 40 years. The engine was developed by paul rosche, who was also responsible for the s14 inline4 engine and the s702 v12 engine. Racing to monterey in bmws spectacular m1 the drive.
Essentially a race car made to conform to the road, the m1 is. Warhols bmw m1 was created for the bmw art car project an initiative founded by french race car driver herve poulain where a chosen artist trades their canvas for a bmw body. Jun, 2018 further, the delay stemming from issues at lamborghini had put bmw on its back foothomologation requirements were changing and leaving the m1 with no racing series to compete in. How bmws m1 procar championship came to beand almost. Car and driver revisits the mighty bmw m1 supercar with an indepth look at its history and a test of the road car and race car. It had been conceived as an fia sports car world championship contender for 1979, while also becoming a customer competition car for use at lower level.
We are delighted to offer this rare and iconic bmw m1 procar for sale on behalf of its current owner. Bmw has brought in renowned american artist andy warhols 1971 art car the bmw m1 to india. Throw in some of that awesomelooking alpina green metallic paint and a custom body. Use the filters to narrow down your selection based on price, year and mileage to help find your dream bmw m1. Tragic racers bmw m1 art car heads to pebble beach auction. Already in 1981 cassani sold the car to bmw m1 enthusiast fritz wagner who continued to race the car in historic motorsport from 2005 onwards. Bmw i8 to transform with m1 looks and 600 horsepower. But bmw contracted lamborghini to build the car, and because this was lamborghini in the late 70s. Apr 09, 2019 with f1 driver harald ertl behind the wheel, this m1 hit nearly 190 mph running on liquid petroleum gas. Originally conceptualized to go up against the likes of porsches incrediblydominant racers, the m1 became an iconic street car with its racing counterpart gaining widespread fan and critic acclaim in group 4 racing, named the procar. The bmw m1 model code e26 is a midengined sports car produced by german automotive. The bmw m1 art car designed by andy warhol was involved, driven by series founder jochen neerpasch and.
What began as a division for bmws racing teams quickly grew to become an incredible passion for many bmw enthusiasts. The midengined concept car was designed inhouse by frenchman paul bracq. The fiberglass panels are made from the original bmw factory molds. In order for jochen to attract drivers into racing in their series, he got in touch with. Bmw ms ontrack domination birthed the worlds most coveted highperformance vehicles. Using the cars for testing meant that they had input of several drivers opinions. This bmw motorsport and bmw ag press department car was raced by the german cassani racing team in pro car races in 1979 and 1980. The series ran as a support category to the european rounds of the 1979 formula one season. The bmw m1 is one of bmws greatest cars, but its many failures and run. The bmw m1 was designed for a life on the race track, as is made evident by its every nut and bolt. The bmw m1 is perhaps the most vaunted car ever sold by the bavarian manufacturer. Bmw m1 a sports car that was produced bmw from 1978 to 1981. Since the bmw m1 made its drawdropping debut in 1978, a range of bahnstormers have since made an appearance.
Bmw has announced substantial enhancements to the 2011 3 series coupe and convertible, including outstanding style updates for 328i and 335i models and a. Using an m1 race car, he created what would become one of the companys most eyecatching designs. The m1, also known as the midengined bmw m1 project e26, was started in 1976 and completed four years later. Bmw m1 poised to set new records at auction autoblog. At classic driver, we offer a worldwide selection of bmw m1s for sale. Bmws m performance car division is developing a long soughtafter successor to the 41year. In 1979, andy warhol was commissioned to create the fourth car in bmw s original art car collection. Under a new plan, marchese would build the car s tube frame, tir would mold the fiberglass, and then ital. In 1979, german race driver manfred winkelhock, together with frenchmen herve poulain and marcel mignot, took this unique midengine sports car to second place in its class in the legendary le mans 24hour classic. Bmw m1 reborn as 591bhp twoseat plugin hybrid autocar. The bmw m1 art car proved that a work of art can be not only spectacularly beautiful, but also lightning fast. Bmw s first mbadged road car came into being as a homologation special, with showroom models built only to qualify the m1 for racing. The bmw m1 was built almost entirely thanks to retired racing driver and head of bmw mdivision jochen neerpasch, who wanted to challenge porsche in group 5 racing, but needed a new purposebuilt car to do it.
Is there a driver anywhere who doesnt recognize the bmw 3 series. The bmw m1, the bavarian motor companys first midengined sports car, was just that. Like the bmw m1 a fabulous sports car, that was designed for both the road and. Bmw showcases renowned artist andy warhols 1971 m1 art car. Bmw has given m purists plenty of reasons to dislike the bmw 1series m. Sure, its frontwheel drivebased and that angers teethgnashing fanboys who want rearwheel. Bmw i8 m with m1 looks and rumored 600 hp coming in 2023. Korman autoworks can provide most parts for the group 4 m1 pro car as well as many street model m1 s. Both as a road car and a racer, the timing was wrong. The bmw m1 was possibly the first everyday supercar, a car with incredibly performance that could also be. Bmw retunes and restyles the 4series to give it a unique look and a sportier driving experience than the 3series. It also had to compete with the legacy of the vehicle it was replacing, the highly successful 3.
The 1979 bmw m1 procar championship was the inaugural season of the bmw m1 procar championship. Former bmw driver prince leopold of bavaria, bmw sauber test driver christian klien, and a current m1 procar owner, marco wagner, also competed. Driving the bmw m1 edmunds new cars, used cars, car. For a car lover at the rmmr, an even greater joy is being offered a drive in a rare 1980vintage bmw m1 race car. The bmw x3 m competition is seriously fast car and. The bmw m1 s existence originates from the need for a production based car for a proposed group 5 silhouette formula to compete in the world sports car championship.
Never before did bmw have a car like the m1, and its doubtful it will build such a car again. The spark behind the m division only once youve tasted this side of the bmw m1 does everything else fall into place. The 2006 3 series may require a doubletake, at least until we get used to it, because bmw has. Car guys rightly point out that you can get this brand of supercar performance for a heck of a lot less. Bmw introduced the m1 at the 1978 paris motor show and it was the german manufacturers latest and greats gt weapon. Research, compare and save listings, or contact sellers directly from 1 series m models nationwide. Jan 22, 2010 bmw m1 procar car profile and video january 22, 2010 by sports car digest 3 comments having bid farewell to formula one, bmw will reportedly strengthen its involvement in gt and touring car. If youre in the market for a luxury car but want something distinctive, bmw has you covered with the 6series gran turismo. The bmw m1, grandfather of all things m, turns 40 hagerty media. What makes this car so astonishingly good, even by 2012 standards, is that it can be a focused driver s car in one moment and, the very next, turn back into a midengine.
As luxury limos go, the 2019 bmw 7series is a roomy and stylish option, but it doesnt provide the stirring driving dynamics of its predecessorsa trait that once defined bmws. Car and driver recently tested the 2017 bmw x5 m, which has gotten some mild updates since its original debut. This alpina green bmw m1 procar looks absolutely fabulous. The fabulous bmw m1 being offered here, chassis no 1195, is the thirtysixth procar built and was sold new to american race driver, joe crevier. Car and driver reports that bmw s next effort with a flagship sports car will combine a little of each, an i8style powertrain with around 600 horsepower wrapped in m1 inspired looks. Lamborghinis imminent bankruptcy finally forced bmw to cancel its contract on april 20, 1978. Aug 03, 2019 in 1979, andy warhol was commissioned to create the fourth car in bmw s original art car collection. The bmw m1 is the first car to be solely developed by bmw m and employs a 3,453 cc 3. The bmw m1 art car by andy warhol celebrates anniversary. Word had already got out that the m1 was a rewarding car to drive.
While the bmw x1 may be maligned by enthusiasts, its actually a car the we like quite a bit. The bmw m1 was possibly the first everyday supercar, a car with incredibly performance that could also be driven comfortably everyday. Apr 25, 2018 the bmw m1 was built almost entirely thanks to retired racing driver and head of bmw mdivision jochen neerpasch, who wanted to challenge porsche in group 5 racing, but needed a new purposebuilt car to do it. The bmw x1 is a surprisingly good allaround family car that still feels like a bmw and its just been put on car and driver s 10best list. The road car version was, therefore, particularly impressive, commanding a top speed of over 260 kmh, which enabled the car to enter the record books as germanys fastest sports car. The m1 was the first car powered by an engine developed by bmw motorsport, with a 3,453 cc m88 inline sixcylinder engine. Apr, 2020 the midengined bmw m1 has had a tumultuous career but it remains one of bmws most recognizable cars to date. Believed to have been sat there for 35 years, the car is fully matching numbers and shows just 7,329km on the odometer.
Using an m1 race car, he created what would become one of. Take this 1981 bmw m1 that classic driver dealer mint classics unearthed in a garage in southern italy, for example. Aug 10, 2011 greggs tragic story, reported in december 1980 by the new york times, was wrapped up with his bmw m1, which is expected to be one of the most closely watched vehicles at the quail lodge in california next week, when bonhams offers the m1 at auction during the pebble beach collectorcar festivities. The bmw x1 isnt exactly high on the bmwenthusiast s favorites list. Andy warhol painted a bmw m1 race car, and its gorgeous. Built to satisfy homologation requirements for group 5 racing, the m1. The iconic bmw m1 could have been built for another few yearsby alpina. In 1981, car and driver summarized the m1 s evolution as follows. Neerpasch neednt have worried, back in 79, about whether some of the worlds top drivers would willingly climb aboard an m1 procar. This is the first time the warhols art car has showcased in our country, and the collection will be on exhibit from 31 january 2 february 2020 at the india art fair in new delhi. Apr 08, 2011 the bmw 1series m coupe is new for 2011.
This highperformance coupe was the first product to be made by the bmw motorsport gmbh. In this regard, the bmw m1 is closer to a caterham than a modern supercar. Aug 23, 2016 with so many benchmarks on its resume the first mbranded car, the first bmw sports car and the first midengined bimmer it makes a lot of sense for the m1 to be the most desirable bmw. The bmw m1 art car designed by andy warhol was involved, driven by series founder jochen neerpasch and with fellow art car artist frank stella as his passenger. German driver hansjoachim stuck takes up the story of the car s development, before it so much as turned a wheel at a grand prix weekend.