The M1 holds a special significance for BMW, being not only the firm’s first bonafide supercar, but also the first model to be solely developed by the M Division. The driving force behind the project was Jochen Neerpasch, then head of BMW Motorsport, who wanted to create a track-focused machine that could fly the flag for the company in top-flight competition.
To challenge the all-conquering Porsche 911, Neerpasch called for the new car to be mid-engined. Lacking the capacity to produce the 400 examples required to meet homologation rules, BMW approached arguably the experts in mid-engine design—Lamborghini. A tubular steel space-frame chassis was duly created by the mastermind of the Miura, Gian Paolo Dallara. Still, with economic headwinds proving a challenge for the ailing firm, the M1 project was taken in-house in April 1978.
Despite parting company with Lamborghini, the M1 remained an international affair, with the sleek, wedge-shaped glass fiber body being designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Trasformazioni Italiana Resine, and the chassis assembled by another Modena firm, Marchesi. Both were made whole at Ital Engineering, a company founded by former Sant’Agata engineers and based just 10 miles from the Lamborghini factory. The partially finished cars were then sent to Germany, where Baur installed the engine—a hand-built 3,453 cc double overhead cam, fuel-injected straight-six designed by Paul Rosche.
The magnificent 1981 BMW M1 featured here is finished in its highly desirable factory colors of Inka orange over black leather interior and fitted with nearly every available option, including factory air conditioning, power windows, and remote mirrors. Chassis number 01191 was the 191st of 399 M1s produced and was delivered to its first owner in April 1981 by Autohaus Weissenfel BMW in Montabaur, Germany, to a local gentleman who had it serviced at BMW Munich for his ownership from 4/81-1/84. Kert Tweesmann BMW subsequently sold it in Horn-Bad Meinberg, Germany to its second owner, a prominent physician in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July of 1984. Who would be its custodian for the next 30 years, until selling it to its third owner in 2014, a Southern California collector who would store it in a climate-controlled facility and drive it sparingly. Despite only using the car occasionally, he ensured that it was still serviced during his 8-year custodianship, including a complete engine and transmission rebuild by renowned M1 experts Korman Autoworks. Today chassis 01191 presents in as-new condition and is arguably one of the best examples on the market today. Seldom do BMW M1’s come up for sale, especially in this incredible condition and impeccable provenance! Offered to the most demanding collector, investor, or enthusiast who aspires to own one of the very best!!
