For true fans of BMW, few cars elicit as much excitement as the M1. Known internally as the E26, the mid-engine supercar was considered a commercial failure. But that meant production wrapped up with only 450 units made, thus ensuring the future collectible nature of each one.
RM Sotheby’s first-ever Dubai auction declared a success.
That’s what makes the announcement of this exquisite example heading to the auction block in Monaco next month so exciting. It presents amazingly well in the bold Brillantrot paint with a black leather interior, even though those weren’t the factory original colors.
However, the 3.5-liter inline-six engine is numbers-matching. Mated to that is a five-speed transaxle developed by ZF, providing the driver with a responsive, entertaining experience. Many have greatly desired to experience how the supercar drives not only on the road but also a personal track where they can truly push the envelope.
We have Giurgiaro’s Italdesign to thank for the dramatic bodylines of the E26, which are made of composite panels. Those hide the tubular frame, providing rigidity for an overall lightweight construction. That, combined with the potent powertrain, helped the M1 capture some important victories in motorsports, even if on the commercial market it didn’t perform nearly as well.
This particular BMW M1 has spent part of its time in Europe, the United States, and Singapore, returning to its home region to be auctioned to a new owner. It doesn’t have a functioning speedometer plus the odometer was changed to miles, likely when it was in the US, but buyers won’t be able to get a mileage reading.
Still, this 1981 BMW M1 looks fantastic and should make a wonderful addition to someone’s collection when it’s presented to the public by RM Sotheby’s at its upcoming Monaco auction.
See the lot listing for yourself here.
Images via RM Sotheby’s
Shawn Henry 
Elizabeth Puckett