History Sauber - BMW M1 GR-5   

The BMW M1 was originally developed as a Group 4 sports car. However, Group 5 requirements led to a modified version. Group 5 was known for its freedom in design and performance, which resulted in spectacular racing cars.

The Sauber team, founded by Swiss Peter Sauber, was a pioneer in motorsport. It recognized the potential of the BMW M1 and began working on the Group 5 version in the late 1980s. The car was developed specifically for the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Engine: The M1 was equipped with a 3.5-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that developed an impressive power output of over 470 hp. This power made the car extremely competitive in Group 5 on the racetrack.

Design: The M1 had an aerodynamic design that not only looked good but also improved performance on the track. The use of lightweight materials and a very light tubular frame chassis contributed to the car's agility.

Racing history: The Sauber BMW M1 Group 5 made its debut in the spring of 1981 and immediately enjoyed success. The combination of powerful technology and the skill of the Sauber team made the M1 a serious contender on the racing scene.It achieved numerous victories and podium finishes in various racing series, including the German Racing Championship (DRM) and the World Sportscar Championship (WSCC). The car's performance and the team's strategy contributed to its legendary status.

Legacy: The Sauber BMW M1 Group 5 remains an iconic vehicle in motorsport history to this day. It is celebrated for its innovative technology and its successes on the racetrack. Even today, the M1 still has a loyal fan base and is often featured at historic motorsport events

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Sauber - BMW M1 GR-5   Chassis #81.M1R.01

After the end of the M1 Procar series in the fall of 1980, Sauber built two vehicles in accordance with the Group 5 regulations in force at the time.

The Swiss racing team Sauber built the two vehicles specifically for use in the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans, in which they also competed.

Unlike other BMW M1s, which were converted from Gr-4 to Gr-5, the two Sauber BMW M1s were the only ones built from scratch as original Group 5 vehicles – with the help of BMW technology. They had a completely new and very light tubular frame chassis (under 100 kg)! Peter Sauber himself lent a hand in building the chassis at the time.

In addition, the bodywork, which was extremely aerodynamic for Le Mans, was designed so that the front and rear hoods could be removed in one piece. The vehicle weighed approximately 150 kg less than a BMW M1 Procar.

A total of only three Group 5 vehicles with tubular frame chassis were built. Two of them were built by the Sauber team, and a third was built by Schnitzer in Germany and equipped with a turbo engine with approximately 800 hp.

Of the two Sauber BMW M1s, this vehicle with chassis number #81.M1R.01 is the only survivor. The vehicle with chassis number #81.M1R.02, painted in BASF colors, was involved in a serious accident and was completely destroyed at the time. A replica of this vehicle was built in Germany a few years ago.

The vehicle offered here has a very detailed history with many original documents, such as the Swiss «Wagenpass», Sauber chassis hand-drawings, pictures from all eras, race registrations, etc.

The ownership history is known and documented from the beginning.

The vehicle was restored in 2014 by the former Sauber mechanic who was involved in its construction back in 1981. It has been used regularly at track days since then, but was never entered in historic races. 

The vehicle can continue to be used on track days in its current condition. However, further work is necessary for serious racing in various series such as the “Le Mans Classic” or Peter Auto “Classic Endurance.” As BMW M1 specialists, we can carry out this work for you in our workshop.