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1981 BMW M1
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| Address: Scotts Valley, CA | |
Mileage: 3,300 | |
| Exterior Color: Orange | |
Interior Color: Black | |
| Transmission: Manual | |
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1981 BMW M1 VIN: WBS59910004301342 Engine #: M88-411 Full cosmetic preservation restoration by Canepa Original engine 3300 original miles (5311 km) 304th of 399 street cars built Finish on 11.3.1980 by Baur Original delivery to BMW Italia S.p.A., Palazzolo Comes with original German sales brochure, Italian owners manual, jack, first aid kit, tools, and spare The M1 is an iconic automobile. Designed by one of the world's greatest automotive stylists and virtually built by hand, it launched BMW's M Motorsports division. This M1 is one of the most original and low mileage examples ever to pass through our doors. Every element of the car is correct, and in the condition befitting its 3300 original miles. After a thorough mechanical and cosmetic examination of the car we determined that the best course of action to prepare the M1 for sale was to engage in an exacting preservation level cosmetic restoration. The main focus of the restoration was the paint. The paint on M1s from the factory was fair at best, and this car was no exception. In order to bring the car up to the level of the rest of its parts we removed the doors, trunk lid, deck lid, bumpers, lights, and interior and set about to repaint the car its original Henna Red. At the same time, any mechanical needs were attended to make sure the car would be 100npon reassembly. The result represents of over 875 hours of work from every department at Canepa. Restoration, Detail, Service, and even Canepa Motorsport had a hand in making this M1 exceptional. Every detail on the car is without peer. From the original Marchal headlights in front, to the complete M1 tool kit in the trunk, every element of car is just as it rolled off the line in November of 1980 ready for its first owner. Aside from the paint work this car is 100original, and presents in absolutely as-new condition. An important note, being an Italian delivery car, and brought to the US later in its life, this M1 has not been modified in any way. The bumpers, exhaust, intake, and interior are just as the factory built it in 1980. Over the years Bruce Canepa has owned over a dozen BMW M1s, including one he sold to the BMW Museum. This car is by far the best, and we believe may well be the finest example of an M1 in the world. About the M1 The E26 M1 project, which helped launch the BMW Motorsport division, was approved by BMW AG in 1976 under the condition that it would not interfere with the production of any other BMW model. The M1 was developed to show that BMW was a legitimate manufacturer of sports cars that could compete with Porsche and Ferrari on the street, and to offer a purpose-built machine that could participate competitively in the Group 4 and Group 5 racing series. BMW Motorsport initially contracted Lamborghini to assemble the cars with engines produced and shipped from Germany. However, severe financial troubles at Lamborghini forced BMW to terminate their agreement with the Italian supercar maker. Thus, the production examples of the E26 M1 were partially assembled at Ital Design in Turin using fiberglass bodywork supplied by T.I.R, and tubular spaceframes supplied by Marchesi. Final assembly was then conducted at the Baur coachworks in Stuttgart, Germany. Each M1 was then given a final inspection at the BMW Motorsport facility in Munich before being delivered to its owner. The M1 is powered by a mid-engine, 3.5 liter four valve, twin-cam inline six was good for 277 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. The performance and handling were impressive, especially at speed. The handsome Giorgetto Giugiaro design successfully blended Teutonic and Italian machismo in a style that, over 30 years later, still looks surprisingly current. There are many conflicting production numbers regarding the E26 M1. The official BMW production figures show that 453 examples were produced in a three-year period between July 1978 and July 1981, making it one of their rarest models. Of these, between 54 were competition Procar versions, while the remaining 399 examples constitute the road-going street cars. It is thought that the final street-legal M1 (non-Procar) was produced in February 1981. -
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