BMW M1 history: the story of BMW's mid-engined supercar
The BMW M1 supercar was the first car developed entirely by BMW Motorsport. How the E26 was born, the Lamborghini link, the M88 engine, the Procar series and its legacy.
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The BMW M1 supercar is one of the most remarkable cars BMW has ever built. Produced from 1978 to 1981, the E26 was the first car developed entirely by BMW Motorsport GmbH, and it remains the only mid-engined production BMW with a combustion engine.
It was created to win races, built in very small numbers and had a troubled birth involving Lamborghini. Today it is a highly collectable classic and a symbol of BMW M. Here is the story of how it was born, how it raced and why it still matters.
Why BMW built a supercar
In the 1970s, BMW Motorsport wanted to compete against Porsche in sports car racing. The 3.0 CSL coupé had been very successful in touring car racing, but a new set of rules for production-based racing cars required a new approach. BMW decided to build a mid-engined sports car designed for racing from the start.
To race, the car had to be homologated, which meant that a minimum number of road cars had to be built. This is how the idea of a road-going BMW supercar was born. Our article on the history of BMW M explains how BMW Motorsport GmbH grew from a racing department into today's M division.
The Lamborghini link
BMW did not have the facilities to build a small series of mid-engined cars, so it turned to Lamborghini, which had experience with exotic sports cars. Lamborghini was to develop the chassis and build the cars.
The design was created by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his company Italdesign. It was inspired by the BMW Turbo concept car of 1972, with its wedge shape, pop-up headlights and BMW kidney grille in a low, wide nose.
However, Lamborghini was in financial difficulty, and the project fell behind schedule. BMW eventually took the project back. Production was organised with several partners: the body and chassis were built in Italy, and final assembly took place in Germany. The delays meant that the M1 arrived later than planned, which affected its racing plans.
The BMW M1 supercar engine: the M88
The heart of the BMW M1 supercar is the M88, a 3.5-litre straight-six with twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and mechanical fuel injection. It was derived from BMW's racing experience and produced 277 hp in road form, enough for a top speed of more than 260 km/h.
The engine was mounted behind the driver and connected to a five-speed manual gearbox. A tubular steel space frame and a glass-fibre body kept the car relatively light. In racing versions, the engine produced much more power.
The M88 had a long legacy. Its design formed the basis of the engines used in the E28 M5 and the M635CSi, which brought the M1's technology into practical road cars. Our article on the BMW straight-six engine history explains this family.
The Procar series
Because of the delays, the M1 could not immediately compete in the races it had been designed for. BMW found a creative solution: the Procar series.
In 1979 and 1980, a one-make championship for M1 race cars was held as a support race at several Formula 1 Grands Prix. The fastest Formula 1 drivers from qualifying were invited to race against sports car specialists in identical M1s. The races were spectacular and attracted great attention.
Niki Lauda won the championship in 1979, and Nelson Piquet won in 1980. The Procar series gave the M1 a unique place in motorsport history and made it famous around the world. M1 race cars also competed at Le Mans and in other sports car events.
Living with an M1 on the road
For a supercar of its time, the M1 was surprisingly usable. It had a comfortable driving position, good visibility for a mid-engined car and a relatively tractable engine. Journalists praised its balance and its everyday manners, which were unusual for exotic cars of the era.
Production ended in 1981, with only around 450 cars built in total, including the racing versions. This small number, together with its history, makes every M1 rare and valuable today.
The M1 as an Art Car
In 1979, the artist Andy Warhol painted a racing M1 as part of the BMW Art Car collection. He painted the car himself with broad, quick brush strokes to express speed. The car raced at Le Mans, where it finished the race, and later became one of the most famous Art Cars ever made.
Our article on the history of BMW Art Cars tells the story of this collection, which started in 1975 and includes several M cars.
The legacy of the BMW M1
The M1 showed that BMW could build a world-class sports car. It established the reputation of BMW Motorsport GmbH and laid the foundation for the M cars that followed, from the M5 to the M3.
BMW has paid tribute to the M1 several times, for example with the M1 Hommage concept car in 2008 and with design details in later models. The M1 remains a reference point for BMW M design and engineering.
For collectors and enthusiasts, it is the ultimate classic BMW M car: rare, beautiful and full of history. Seeing one in person, at a museum or a classic car event, is something every BMW fan should experience.
BMW M1 key facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Production | 1978 to 1981 |
| Internal code | E26 |
| Engine | M88 3.5-litre straight-six, mid-mounted |
| Road car power | 277 hp |
| Top speed | More than 260 km/h |
| Design | Giorgetto Giugiaro, Italdesign |
| Number built | Around 450 including racing cars |
Frequently asked questions
How many BMW M1s were built?
Around 450 cars were built in total, including the racing versions.
Was the BMW M1 built by Lamborghini?
Lamborghini was originally responsible for development and production, but because of its financial problems BMW took the project back and organised production with other partners.
What engine does the BMW M1 have?
The M88, a 3.5-litre straight-six with four valves per cylinder, producing 277 hp in road form.
What was the BMW M1 Procar series?
A one-make race series held at Formula 1 events in 1979 and 1980, where Formula 1 drivers raced identical M1s.
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