eBay Find of the Day: 1979 BMW M1
As BMW's only foray into the mid-engine configuration, the iconic M1 is a rare and revered sports car. Only 455 were built between 1978 and 1981, after the supercar was developed as a homologation special to meet production requirements for competition eligibility in Group 5 sports car races. While FIA rule changes initially kept the cars out of Group 5, BMW launched the M1 Procar series to give them a place to play in the meantime. The Procar races ran in support of Formula 1 events.
One roadgoing example of the M1 Procar styling is currently up for sale on eBay. Modified by German tuner, Styling Garage, it features the Procar flared fenders and spoiler, increased power output, and custom BBS wheels. According to an article on SpeedBrigade.com, the Styling Garage M1 appeared at the Palm Beach Supercar Weekend back in 2006, where it was then up for sale by the Motorcar Gallery. Now it is listed with Driver Source in Texas and the current asking price is set at $135,000. We can think of far worse ways to spend that amount of cash. Now, where's that eBay login of ours... Thanks for th tip Zachary!
Gallery: 1979 BMW M1
[Source: eBay]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Johnny 8:16PM (2/25/2008)
Why? THis thing looks like itll send a Ferrari back home with its tail between its legs in vintage GT Racing
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Eric D-J 8:21PM (2/25/2008)
Wonder what the mileage is. I don't see it listed.
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Eric D-J 8:25PM (2/25/2008)
37,200 Miles found it on their website..
Big Bad Sedan 8:40PM (2/25/2008)
28 yrs old and still looks HOT! I used to dream about these when I was a teenager. WOW! Bimmer could sells these today and still make a pretty penny.
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dpb! 8:42PM (2/25/2008)
Way better than some silly hotwheels car with a bunch of gems on it!
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Hike15 8:51PM (2/25/2008)
Wasn't development of this car helped by Lamborghini?
cause this is still and awesome looking car. It has aged like the F40 and McLaren F1; still looks amazing
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summazooma 8:53PM (2/25/2008)
I love M1's, alright?... but I'm surprised nobody (apparently old enough to remember) suggested that it looks like... or provided a conspiracy theory that this is actually a rebodied... Fiero
And, yes, I didn't hate Fiero in 1986, either. Just didn't hate BMW's M1 even more. Give me this or a Ferrari bb and I'd be happy as stink
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WetheSheeple 3:17AM (2/26/2008)
I think you meant to say 'Fireo' :)
Get em while they're hot
sw 9:10PM (2/25/2008)
This is quite possibly the only BMW that has aged quite well.
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C'Est Raoul 9:11PM (2/25/2008)
Awesome!
135k and 1 hour to go (reserve not met).
Between that and the 273k$ Challenger, I'd take that one.
*\$% charity!
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Shoaib 9:36PM (2/25/2008)
Just watched the Top Gear episode featuring this. I have to say this is one hell of a car. I really dig the coordinated seats and striping. There are few things I wouldn't do to have one of these.
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Andrew Ault 9:45PM (2/25/2008)
I was fortunate enough to drive an M1 several times when it was exhibited at a car museum I worked at. I was simply exercising the car each week, so the drives were gentle and respectful of another man's property (at his request). I will say that it was a great car, comparing very favorably to other exotics in the collection. What a great motor! The car was very solid, unlike certain other mid engine cars I've driven. The interior was BMW functional andwell finihed. All hand made, of course, given the low production number.
As for the development of the car, it is true that Lamborghini did a great deal of the development of the car and produced prototypes, but this ended during one of the Italian car maker's crisis periods and BMW brought the project back to Germany for final development and production.
At the same time that we had the M1 I mentioned, we also were exhibiting the BMW Art cars, including the BMW M1 that Andy Warhol hand painted. He used his hands to smear the paint onto the car. When we received the Art Cars they had been in storage for a long time and were pretty rough. We were allowed to clean and preserve the cars. They really looked great when we were done. When BMW management saw the cars in the museum during a corporate gala during the exhibit, the attitude changed and the cars have since been treated as crown jewels by BMW. I cleaned and applied wax to the Warhol car - it was amazing to feel where the artist's hands had been. (By the way, we used the best materials and techniques possible and always wore soft gloves.)
AA
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Gabe 12:56AM (9/17/2008)
do you know how much the M1 is worth in cash?? It is my dream car
John Johnson 10:18PM (2/25/2008)
The seats are dead sexy.
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Chris J 10:35PM (2/25/2008)
The interior looks better than anything Chrysler is making
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Dan Roth 10:38PM (2/25/2008)
Well that's damning with faint praise...
MJL 11:03PM (2/25/2008)
It has a sunroof??
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3seriesisking 11:12PM (2/25/2008)
Truly a piece of art. Congratulations must go out to whoever gets this gem. Thanks for the post Autoblog.
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Michael Harley 11:37PM (2/25/2008)
Sweeeet Ride!
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JZeke 11:39PM (2/25/2008)
Ok I love the M1, its sublime, classic, timeless and all that good stuff...
But this treatment is 80's in a not-so-good way.
Its the 4 wheeled equivalent of moussed-up big hair with patent leather Italian loafers, Z Cavariccis and a mustache with Aviators in one hand and a Scorpions cassette in the other. If you think THAT is lookin' good, then I guess this is your car!
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