1981 BMW M1 Coupe
A total of 453 examples were produced between 1978 and 1981, making the BMW M1 one of the most limited German sports cars of its generation.
Born from a need to homologate a Group 4 racing contender (initially developed with Group 5 silhouette regulations in mind), the mid-engined M1 followed an unusually complex production path.
Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the wedge-shaped fiberglass body, which was molded by TIR in Italy and assembled by Italdesign on a tubular steel space frame before being shipped to Baur in Germany for mechanical installation, with BMW Motorsport overseeing final preparation.
The 3.5-liter (3,453 cc) DOHC inline-six (Bosch Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection) delivered 273 horsepower (DIN) at 6,500 rpm through a five-speed ZF transaxle. Gian Paolo Dallara contributed to development of the chassis, which featured fully independent double-wishbone suspension, with ventilated disc brakes at all four corners. Top speed was approximately 162 mph.
Inside, Recaro seats trimmed in leather with cloth inserts, air conditioning, and power windows gave the M1 a level of comfort uncommon in purpose-built homologation specials. Of the 453 built, 399 were road cars and 54 were Procar race versions.
Source
