1981 BMW M1 in Its Rare Original Form Is Now up for Auction

Historically speaking, the BMW M1 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his Italdesign team, boasting a tube-frame chassis developed by Lamborghini, although drew creative inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo concept — in a sense fusing both German and Italian design philosophies. Contrived as a way for BMW to compete in FIA Group 4 sports car racing, the M1 ran into its Porsche 911 nemesis, with each feeding into this fiercely-heated rivalry.

With that in mind, this unrestored 1981 model, in its original white exterior/all-black interior has recently come up for auction, which is sure to catch the attention of old-school automobile purists far and wide. Under the supervision of its current owner for nearly 30 years now, BMW specialists, The Werk Shop, were brought in to perform key mechanical work, bringing the car back up to running condition. As far as specs go, the car features an inline 6-cylinder engine, a 5-speed ZF Manual Transaxle and is capable of 277 bhp at 6,500 rpm. For more info on this rare gem, be sure to check out Gooding & Company’s website.

In case you missed it, this stunning 1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing coupe recently hit the auction block.