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VIDEO: BMW M1
BMW's performance division has made such a name for itself that the letter M has become synonymous with high-performance German sedans and coupes. But the vehicle that started it all was about as Italian as any Teutonic sports car could ever be: a low-slung, mid-engined machine designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign and built in cooperation with Lamborghini as a homologation special.
The only mid-engine BMW ever made, the roadgoing M1 featured the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter 279hp twin-cam six later used in the 635CSi and M5. Like a great many short-lived supercars, we have homologation regulations to thank for the M1's existence: 456 examples were built between 1978 and 1981 in order to qualify for Group 5 competition.
Although the turbocharged 850-horsepower version was never a great success in Group 5 racing, it was later entered in the Procar series in support of Formula One races in the late seventies, in which a Marlboro-sponsored Niki Lauda took the title in 1979. The M1 went on to win the IMSA GTO title in 1981.
Follow the jump to check out the video action.
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MemphisNET 1:42PM (1/01/2008)
Very cool. Is this where the 850 got its start ? Some similar design cue's.
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zach 2:02PM (1/01/2008)
man, i used to love that car... sadly seems to be largely "forgotten" now though.
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Taylor 2:06PM (1/01/2008)
Easily my favorite BMW ever made.
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3seriesisking 2:12PM (1/01/2008)
My favorite thing about this car is that it made people notice BMW like they never had before. The car was something people didn't expect from the company and was up there with the other great cars of it's day. The M1 is easily one of the finest cars BMW has ever made. Thanks for posting this Autoblog, I really enjoy every opportunity I have to see the great M1 in action.
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King of Pasadena 3:13PM (1/01/2008)
So far ahead of it's time, it sold for 50,000 euros, long before anyone knew what a euro was...
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Brandon 4:16PM (1/01/2008)
Didn't Inspector Gadget have an M1?
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Zak 4:38PM (1/01/2008)
To be pedantic, it's 277 PS or 273 bhp.
Source: http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=22748
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500 5:52PM (1/01/2008)
Cool video. Wish they'd also mentioned the 1972 BMW Turbo show car that inspired it though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BMW_Turbo_1972_red_vr_TCE.jpg
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pawelo 7:33AM (1/02/2008)
BMW is the best.
Very good web page on BMW
http://bmw.resmoto.com
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shirtman 10:08AM (1/02/2008)
Have pictures of it along with the 512BB that I took at Lime Rock. The M1 and the 2002tii are the only BMW's that have ever really impressed me
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