The ultimate guide to the BMW M1 supercar

Nestled in the middle of the iconic styling was pure M division stuff – an engine which would set the standard for all future M cars

As the Italian-styled icon of the 1970s turns 30 this year, Vijay Pattni pays homage to the ultimate BMW M car.

Almost 80 – and just one mid-engined supercar. It had to be special.

Think BMW and you think high-revving performance monsters, everyday practicality and build quality to write back to Munich about.

But in all its time of producing road-going sportscars, Bavarian Motor Works has rolled out just one car worthy of the supercar moniker – the BMW M1.

BMW ‘M’ chief Jochen Neerspach wanted a car ready to take on the daunting Le Mans circuit – and drew up plans for the M1 in 1975.

But as a small outfit he looked across the border to Italy for a little help from Lamborghini.

The body of the BMW M1 was styled by renowned Italian design house Giugiaro, who also shaped the De Lorean and Ferrari 250, and the chassis was worked over by Lambo.

Nestled in the middle of the iconic styling was pure M division stuff – an engine which would set the standard for all future M cars.

BMW slotted in a 3.5-litre straight six engine producing 277bhp and 243lbs/ft of pulling power – all in a car weighing the same as a current BMW 3 Series.

This meant a 0-60mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 162mph – marking it out as one of the fastest production cars of its day.

Financial problems meant work on the supercar was delayed, and crucially, the FIA – motorsport’s governing body – had changed the rules for entry into the racing series which the M1 was set to compete in.

These stated BMW had to produce 400 road-going examples of the M1 before it could enter the sportscar for racing – and with stretched resources and time, the M1 never made it onto the field.

Neerspach was determined his new baby would see the racetrack, and signed a deal with Formula 1 supremos Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley to create a new race which would support the 1979/1980 European Formula 1 Grand Prix races – the ‘ProCar Series’.

Finally, the BMW M1 made its debut, sweeping up wins and establishing itself as a bona-fide supercar.

The ProCar racing version had a top speed well over 190 mph, and with two-time F1 World Champion Niki Lauda at the wheel, went on to win three of the eight ProCar races.

A one-off showcar by artist Andy Warhol saw the road rocket add further cult status to its pedigree.

In the showrooms, prices for the BMW M1 started at DM 100,000 – which was around £40,000 in 1978 – a staggering amount for the first M car.

BMW built around 450 M1s, making it the one of the rarest Beemers on the market.

Auto Trader has one BMW M1 for sale

But while the mid-engined Beemer only saw three years of production, the growing M division decided to rip apart its internals and up the ante with the 5 Series saloon – ushering in one of the greatest badges in the world today.

Taking out the 3.5-litre 277bhp straight six engine from the supercar, the M engineers decided to slot it into the 5 Series saloon – creating the very first BMW M5.

But that’s another story.