The BMW M1 embodies the bold spirit of an era when German engineering met Italian elegance. Designed in the late 1970s to compete with Porsche on the racetrack, its development was entrusted to Lamborghini. But the Italian manufacturer’s financial troubles slowed the project to a crawl, ultimately forcing BMW to retrieve the prototype’s blueprints under police escort, to prevent their seizure by creditors.
The design, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro and inspired by the BMW Turbo concept, captivates with its geometric purity. Its production—spread across Italy, France, and Germany—showcases a remarkable pan-European craftsmanship.
Arriving too late for racing homologation, the M1 instead shone in a one-make series devised by BMW, featuring the greatest F1 drivers of the time. Beneath its taut lines, the M88 straight-six engine gave birth to a whole dynasty of exceptional powerplants.
Long overlooked, the M1 is now celebrated as one of the finest expressions of contemporary automotive design.
