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The BMW M1 was the company's first 'true' supercar and the first to be solely developed by the M Division. The project was spearheaded by Jochen Neerpasch, then head of BMW Motorsport, who envisioned a track-focused machine that could compete at the highest levels of competition. With mid-engine placement, a tubular steel space-frame chassis, and sleek, wedge-shaped fiberglass body, the M1 was able to challenge the all-conquering Porsche 911.
The chassis was initially created by the individuals who were responsible for the Lamborghini Miura - Gian Paolo Dallara - but due to economic issues, the M1 project was taken in-house in April 1978. The chassis was assembled by Marchesi of Modena, the fiberglass body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Trasformazioni Italiana Resine, and the partially finished cars were sent to Germany, where Baur installed the engine. The 3,453-cubic-centimeter double-overhead-cam, fuel-injected straight-six unit was hand-built to a design created by Paul Rosche.
Between 1978 and 1981, a total of 56 examples of the M1 were built, with a few contesting the one-model race series dubbed the BMW M1 Procar Championship. The remaining 399 examples were built in road-going guise, built to homologate the model for competition. (A total of 455 M1s were produced between 1978 and 1981, including 399 road and 56 race cars.)
This particular example was delivered new to the Bay Area in California and remained in the care of a single-family up until 2019. When it left the factory, it wore a blue exterior; at some point, it received a respray to the white exterior it currently wears.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
The chassis was initially created by the individuals who were responsible for the Lamborghini Miura - Gian Paolo Dallara - but due to economic issues, the M1 project was taken in-house in April 1978. The chassis was assembled by Marchesi of Modena, the fiberglass body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Trasformazioni Italiana Resine, and the partially finished cars were sent to Germany, where Baur installed the engine. The 3,453-cubic-centimeter double-overhead-cam, fuel-injected straight-six unit was hand-built to a design created by Paul Rosche.
Between 1978 and 1981, a total of 56 examples of the M1 were built, with a few contesting the one-model race series dubbed the BMW M1 Procar Championship. The remaining 399 examples were built in road-going guise, built to homologate the model for competition. (A total of 455 M1s were produced between 1978 and 1981, including 399 road and 56 race cars.)
This particular example was delivered new to the Bay Area in California and remained in the care of a single-family up until 2019. When it left the factory, it wore a blue exterior; at some point, it received a respray to the white exterior it currently wears.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2023
2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $550,000-USD $750,000
Lot was not sold
1980 BMW E26 M1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the BMW E26 M1
(Data based on Model Year 1980 sales)
1980 BMW M1 Procar Chassis#: 4301302 Sold for USD$1,095,350 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301327 Sold for USD$567,193 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1980 BMW M1 Sold for USD$582,500 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301442 Sold for USD$478,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie Chassis#: WBS00000094301090 Sold for USD$648,500 2022 RM Sothebys : The Youngtimer Collection - Miami | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301218 Sold for USD$825,049 2022 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301261 Sold for USD$417,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1980 BMW M1 (E26) Chassis#: WBS59910004301170 Sold for USD$503,950 2020 Silverstone Auctions : The NEC Classic Live Online Auction | |
1980 BMW M1 Procar Chassis#: WBS59910004301195 Sold for USD$913,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | |
1980 BMW M1 Sold for USD$400,000 2017 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1980 BMW M1 Coupé Chassis#: WB500000094301080 Sold for USD$529,236 2015 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301160 Sold for USD$599,500 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301292 Sold for USD$462,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301385 Sold for USD$379,500 2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301194 Sold for USD$440,000 2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301360 Sold for USD$242,000 2013 RM - The Don Davis Collection | |
1980 BMW M1 Chassis#: WBS59910004301360 Sold for USD$185,000 2012 Mecum - Monterey, CA | |
1980 BMW M1 Ahg Coupe Sold for USD$155,000 2011 Mecum Auctions - Monterey, CA The Daytime Auction | |
1980 BMW MI Chassis#: WBS59910004301153 Sold for USD$137,500 2010 RM Auctions - Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey | |
1980 BMW M1 Coupe Sold for USD$120,000 2009 Mecum - Monterey Auction |
BMW E26 M1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1980 BMW E26 M1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 BMW M1 | WBS59910004301226 | 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $550,000 | $750,000 | |
1980 BMW M1 | WBS00000094301096 | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $425,000 | $500,000 | |
1980 BMW M1 Coupé | WB500000094301080 | 2018 Bonhams : The Monaco Sale 'Les Grandes Marques à Monaco' | $540,000 | $580,000 | |
1980 BMW M1 | WBS00000094301096 | 2017 Mecum : Monterey | $400,000 | ||
1980 BMW M1 | WBS4301006 | 2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction | $575,000 | $650,000 | |
1980 BMW M1 | WBS00000094301096 | 2016 Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | $525,000 | $625,000 | |
1980 BMW M1 | WBS00000094301096 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $450,000 | $600,000 | $750,000 |
1980 BMW M1 AHG | WBS00000094301090 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $400,000 | $550,000 | $650,000 |
1980 BMW M1 | 2015 Hollywood Motors : Amelia Island Select | ||||
1980 BMW M1 | WBS00000094301096 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $375,000 | $400,000 | $500,000 |
1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie | WBS00000094301090 | 2014 RM Auctions at Monterey | $400,000 | $600,000 | $800,000 |
1980 BMW M1 | WBS59910004301233 | 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco | $80,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 |
1980 BMW M1 Coupe | 2009 Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale | $120,000 |
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1980 BMW E26 M1
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