Chassis No. WBS59910004301397

The BMW M1 was presented in Paris in 1978 costing the enormous sum of DM 100,000 and with a design came from the Italian Giugiaro it looked the part! With a 277 hp inline six-cylinder engine, the M1 sprinted to 100 kmh in just 6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 265 km/h making it the fastest German-made sports car at the time of its presentation. The engineering was powerful, but also very robust with its M88 engine based on the famous M30 engine that was used in numerous BMW models. The modified version of the M88 with up to 850 hp was used in FIA Group 5 competition but was also the basis for the 635 CSi and the later M5.

To date, BMW has not built a successor to the brand's only true super sports car and, due to future requirements, it is likely that at least no successor with an internal combustion engine will be presented. 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of BMW Motorsport GmbH (today BMW M GmbH), which developed the BMW M1 and planned its production. Only 399 road-going versions of the BMW M1 (E26) were built. This is one of only 98 examples delivered in Inka Orange.

This M1 is one of the final examples built and, according to BMW Classic, was delivered new in England in January 1981. As the M1 was not available in right-hand drive, this car was, of course, a left-hand drive version. It was later sold to Switzerland where it was owned by a wealthy Iranian exile. The M1 was then exported to Germany in the summer of 2005 and sold to the current owner shortly afterward. Due to its beautiful condition, the car was invited to participate in major international competitions. It was seen at the exclusive Salon Privé in London and then it was shown at the Classic Days at Schloss Dyck.

The engine is original and has matching numbers. In the 15 years with the current owner, the car has been very well looked after. In July 2009, 30,806 km were noted in the exhaust emission test. The owners then took the M1 on a major European tour, from the Alps to London. They also visited the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. In the last few years, the car has been lightly but frequently used to keep the car in shape. The current mileage is 33,828 km, which seems likely original due to the very good and original interior.

The original interior is particularly valuable today, as many have been restored over the past 40 years and as the carpet and the fabric materials are no longer available, it is difficult to restore these true to the original today. The originality is complemented by such beautiful details as the original spare wheel cover, an original first aid kit, and the warning triangle. In addition, the original jack, the original tool roll, and the original hazard lamp are also included.