Genesis of M Power: RM Sotheby’s Offers a Stunning 1980 BMW M1

There are cars, and then there are legends – machines that transcend mere transportation to become icons of design, engineering, and sheer automotive desire. Here at The Coolector, we have a serious soft spot for these pivotal vehicles, and few ignite the passion quite like the progenitor of BMW’s M division road car dynasty: the spectacular BMW M1. It’s a bona fide supercar born from competitive fire, and the chance to acquire a prime example, like this stunning 1980 model currently offered by the connoisseurs at RM Sotheby’s, is an event worthy of serious attention. This isn’t just any classic; it’s the foundation upon which decades of M Power brilliance were built.

The M1’s tale began on the racetrack in the late 1970s. BMW’s dominant CSL racers were facing an increasingly potent threat from Porsche’s 935s, prompting the Munich marque to develop a dedicated mid-engined weapon. Housing their potent twin-cam 3.5-litre straight-six engine required a bespoke chassis, leading initially to a collaboration with Lamborghini. While that partnership ultimately shifted, the project forged ahead, culminating in a masterpiece of international cooperation.

The breathtakingly sharp wedge silhouette was penned by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign, with chassis and body construction handled in Italy before final assembly meticulously took place at Karosserie Baur in Stuttgart. Produced for just a few short years between 1978 and 1981, only 399 road-going examples ever saw the light of day, cementing the M1’s status as an incredibly rare and sought-after piece of automotive history.

This particular M1, documented as the 116th example built, rolled off the Baur assembly line in March 1980, finished in the utterly captivating and factory-correct combination of vibrant Rot (Red) over a purposeful Schwarz (Black) interior. Critically, it retains its original, matching-numbers 3.5-litre inline-six engine – a major plus point for discerning collectors. Delivered new via BMW Italia SpA, its journey saw it cross the Atlantic to join a collection in New York, before eventually returning to Europe via Germany and finally finding its current home in France in late 2018. This is a well-travelled, yet clearly cherished, machine.

Prospective owners will be pleased to note its well-documented maintenance history, including significant recent expenditure totalling over €25,000 between 2019 and 2022 at reputable BMW service centres in France, ensuring it presents in fine mechanical fettle (invoices are available for inspection). The odometer reading of just 24,232 kilometres further underscores its relatively preserved condition. Acquiring such a historically significant and desirable machine requires serious commitment, of course; RM Sotheby’s anticipates bids starting north of £370,000 for this exceptional M1.

Presented in its striking original colours and boasting impressive provenance, this is a blue-chip collector car that represents the genesis of BMW’s high-performance road car lineage. For any serious BMW enthusiast or collector of landmark supercars, the opportunity to park this Rot rocket in their garage is surely an irresistible one.

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