History of the BMW M1 #4301171

The BMW M1 was the first supercar developed independently by BMW Motorsport and was unveiled in 1978. Originally, Lamborghini was supposed to handle production, but the Italian manufacturer’s financial problems led to delays and a reorganization of the manufacturing process.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the M1 was powered by a 3.5-liter inline-six engine producing 277 PS and reached a top speed of around 265 km/h. It was built to meet homologation requirements for racing and was also the first production vehicle to bear the famous “M” in its name.

Between 1978 and 1981, only 400 road cars and 53 race cars were produced, which is why the M1 is now one of the rarest and most sought-after BMW models. The M1 became particularly well-known through the spectacular BMW M1 Procar series, in which Formula 1 drivers competed against one another. To this day, the M1 is considered an icon of the BMW brand and the origin of the legendary M models.

This vehicle was manufactured on February 13, 1980, and delivered on February 28, 1980, in red and black to a German customer in Edingen. It was the 120th vehicle in the production series. According to rumors (unverified), the customer had originally ordered the vehicle in black, after which it was repainted at the factory.

The vehicle was sold to Koblenz in 1983 with 18.000 km on the odometer and to Bodenheim in 1986 with 26.000 km on the odometer.

In 1984, with 18.100 km on the odometer, a replacement transmission was installed (invoice and BMW warranty document available).

In October 2006 (27.800 km), an Englishman with a second home in Switzerland purchased the vehicle. Consequently, the vehicle was first exported to England in October, registered there with the license plate BOT 555V, and immediately imported into Switzerland on December 29, 2006. In February 2007, it was serviced by Graber Sportgarage and approved for the Swiss MFK. Over the following twelve years, the vehicle was regularly serviced but hardly driven, until it was purchased by the current owner in 2020 (31.500 km).

The vehicle is matching number and currently has 33.400 km on the odometer and is in perfect condition. It was re-inspected (MOT) as a veteran car in August 2026 and comes with a “BMW Mobile Tradition” certificate, a German vehicle registration certificate, an English V5, and numerous maintenance invoices dating back to 1984.