Sublime, Nachtblau BMW M1 for sale
All BMW M cars are special - but one is a little more special than the rest...
Multiple generations of M cars are very much the norm these days. Even the X5 and X6 M have arrived at their third model generation. But there was only ever one M1. It wasn’t replaced, updated or even indirectly superseded, ever - the next mid-engined BMW that was even remotely similar was the i8, and you could hardly imagine two more different cars with an engine behind the driver. Its unique status makes the M1 hugely special in the history of M cars; there never has been, and surely now never will be, anything else like it.
Why? Because the M1, in truth, totally failed to achieve what it was designed for. It’s hard to imagine an M mishap these days, but almost 50 years ago BMW’s motorsport division was still finding its way. A desire to compete in the upper echelons of sportscar racing was a great idea to boost the brand, but getting Lamborghini onboard to assist proved unwise. As the Italians plummeted towards bankruptcy, the M1 project was delayed; the eventual production process was hugely drawn out (and therefore expensive), but the required amount of cars for homologation made it out the door of BMW. By which time, the Group 5 rules had changed, and the M1 wasn’t competitive.
So the 280hp road car cost more than a Ferrari 512BB, and the racer couldn’t win - not an auspicious beginning for the first ground-up BMW Motorsport car. Salvation was at hand, however, thanks to Procar, the one-make series for M1s that supported Formula 1. And, amazingly, had F1 drivers behind the wheel. It was a jaw-dropping spectacle, the sight and sound of motorsport-spec M1s on Grand Prix tracks ensuring a lot of hearts and minds were won over. Even if, ultimately, few were still sold.
Still, not quite delivering as intended didn’t make the M1 any less captivating. It was beautiful in a way that no BMW had ever been (or subsequently was) thanks to Giugiaro’s input, the M88 straight-six was glorious, and it brought mid-engined glamour to a slightly dowdy BMW range that little else could have. The M1 was proof that BMW could do a halo car as well as anyone else, and became the ultimate M collectable.
There were just 399 road cars, this 1980 example being one of the last and one of 59 in Nachtblau. It’s lived quite the life, having been in collections in Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and the UK. Interestingly, the selling dealer has had it in their own portfolio for 15 years, so it’s exceptionally well known to them. Having had seldom recent use, it’s getting the full works ahead of sale - replacing all rubbers, new clutch, rebuilding calipers and so on - to ensure that ‘this car not just drives superbly but can be used with confidence on road trips without nasty surprises.’ What a privilege that would be.
With BMW M now charging headfirst into its sixth decade, the very first M car is probably more covetable than ever. Its historical significance, plus rarity, beauty and very special powertrain tick all the right boxes as an automotive asset. So it’s half a million pounds. But when a 2.7 RS can also command the same, and a Countach sometimes twice as much, maybe that isn’t the craziest asking price you ever did see. It’s genesis, after all, for perhaps the most famous motorsport offshoot of them all. That it looks like this won’t hurt, either…
On the one hand it’s one of, if not THE most beautiful car BMW have ever made, and yet at the same time it looks slightly effete, and not muscular enough for a car that cost so much when new.
Personally I think the market has gone mad (and has been for a good while), and feel that for some marquee and models there will be an adjustment downwards.
Obviously this may or actually won’t apply for rare models like this but I still wouldn’t pay the asking price even if I won the €Millions.
On the one hand it s one of, if not THE most beautiful car BMW have ever made, and yet at the same time it looks slightly effete, and not muscular enough for a car that cost so much when new.
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