• The genesis of the BMW Motorsport division’s long-lasting road car legacy
• Finished in its factory colour of white over a black leather and cloth interior
• Benefits from a 2016 to 2018 restoration by Formula GT in Munich at a cost of €93,000
• Known ownership history from new; originally delivered via BMW Kohl of Germany in May 1981 and later formed part of a Spanish collection for 16 years
• Purchased by The Best of M Collection in 2018; benefits from a June 2025 service
• Offered with a Birth Certificate by BMW Classic
• Accompanied by restoration invoices, a tool roll, and spare wheel

Setting aside the 54 competition-specification cars, just 399 road-going examples of the mid-engined M1 supercar were built between 1978 and 1981. Offered here is chassis number 265. Assembly was completed on 18 April 1980 at ItalDesign, the car painted in white over an interior trimmed with black leather and cloth. Moving to Germany, it was built up by Baur before the final inspection was carried out by BMW Motorsport on 25 June.

Originally delivered to BMW dealership Kohl of Aachen in Germany, the car was first sold to Mr Helmut Burzlaff of Bünde on 8 May 1981. His ownership was brief, though, with the M1 being acquired by Mr Helmut Schmitt a year later. He is believed to have retained chassis 265 through to 1999, at which point the BMW entered a collection in Spain for another long-term, 16-year stint.

The car returned to Germany in 2015, with the new owner then commissioning a total mechanical and cosmetic restoration. This was performed between June 2016 and November 2018 by classic sports and race car specialist Formula GT of Munich, who repainted the M1 in its factory white hue as part of work exceeding €93,000 (invoices available on file).

Added in December 2018 to The Best of M Collection as the BMW Motorsport crowning glory, the car has since been fittingly finished with the firm’s tricolour motorsport livery that runs over the rear haunches, across the roof, and onto the bonnet. Benefitting from a June 2025 service, the M1 is accompanied by a tool roll and spare wheel. Invoices on file suggest that the odometer was reset at some point, possibly during restoration.

Beautifully styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and underpinned by a spaceframe chassis designed by Giampaolo Dallara, the M1 is a major player in BMW Motorsport and wider automotive history. This example awaits its next adoring custodian.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu25/.