1978 BMW M1
- Engine
- 3.45L DOHC inline-six, Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection, 277 bhp
- Colour
- Dark Metallic Blue
The BMW M1 was the first mid-engined production car from BMW's Motorsport Division, styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and powered by the 277 bhp M88 twin-cam six-cylinder engine. This particular example, finished in rare Dark Metallic Blue with a full black leather interior, was originally a BMW press and promotional vehicle completed at Baur on 21 December 1978. It has been based in California since 1981 and spent approximately 25 years with a single collector, accumulating fewer than 25,000 miles.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$400,000 – US$500,000
- 1978-12-21 → 1981Factory deliveryBMW (press/promotions fleet)partial documentation
Vehicle served as a factory press and display unit following completion at Baur; listed on the M1 Registry in this capacity.
- 1981 →Acquisition unknownCalifornia-based single collectorpartial documentation
Car has been in California since 1981 and under continuous single-owner stewardship for approximately 25 years; federalized for US use during this period, with fuel fillers relocated and likely speedometer replacement.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The car was federalized for United States road use, which involved moving the fuel filler connections inboard and closing off the original external fillers. The original kilometer-reading speedometer and odometer were likely replaced at this time.
Federalization is believed to have occurred around or after the car's arrival in California in 1981.
- —Engine rebuild
The original M88 engine was replaced at an undetermined point; the replacement unit is noted in the listing but no further detail on the replacement engine's specification is provided.
- —Mechanical
New tyres were fitted to the correct factory wheels, and the spare tyre, tool kit, and an owner's manual copy were sourced and included with the car.
- —Modification
An aftermarket AM/FM stereo radio with cassette player was installed.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.