This 1981 BMW M1 is #412 of approximately 453 examples built over two and a half years of production from 1978 – 1981. It was imported under previous ownership and was recently acquired from a Collector in July 2022.

The M1 was developed by BMW’s motorsport division as a homologation model for FIA Group 5 sports car racing, and construction was intended to be carried out in partnership with Lamborghini before the contract between the two manufacturers dissolved. The Gianpaolo Dallara-designed spaceframe was instead built by Italian firm Marchesi, while Giorgetto Giugiaro-styled fiberglass bodywork was manufactured by Trasformazione Italiana Resina. Bodies were completed by Italdesign in Turin before being sent to Baur in Stuttgart for final assembly by hand. Road-going and racing variants were produced simultaneously, and approximately 453 units were built in total (399 and 54 respectively).

The M1 used special Campagnolo alloy wheels measuring 7 x 16-inches at the front and 8 x 16-inches at the rear.The suspension featured unequal-length A-arms, Bilstein height-adjustable gas shock absorbers, coil springs, and unassisted rack-and-pinion steering. Stopping power is provided by ventilated discs at all four corners.

The cockpit features adjustable seats trimmed in black leather with checkered cloth inserts, a combination that extends to the door panels, rear firewall, and headliner.The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 9k-rpm tachometer and a 280-km/h speedometer as well as auxiliary gauges and warning lights.

Power comes from a mid-mounted 3,453cc M88 inline-six featuring dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, dry-sump lubrication, Kugelfischer-Bosch fuel injection, Magneti-Marelli ignition, and six individual throttle bodies. Factory output was rated at 277 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque—0 to 100 km/h in about 5.4 seconds. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. 

Price does not include $595 Admin Fee and applicable taxes. For finance/lease, a $35 Lender’s Fee and $595 Finance/Lease Fee will be charged. Dealer # 8113.