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Auction archive: Lot number 258•

6,592 miles from new 1981 BMW M1 Coupé Chassis no. WBS59910004301336

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$147,800
Auction archive: Lot number 258•

6,592 miles from new 1981 BMW M1 Coupé Chassis no. WBS59910004301336

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$147,800
Beschreibung:

A proposed Group 5 ‘Silhouette Formula’ for production-based cars triggered the M1 program in the mid-1970s, a mid-engined concept car designed in-house at BMW by Paul Bracq providing the basis. Ex-racing driver Jochen Neerpasch was responsible for initiating this ambitious project, whose aims included taking on rivals Porsche in the World Sportscar Championship and, ultimately, victory at Le Mans. M1 development was contracted first to Lamborghini and then to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design, although almost all cars ended up being built by BMW in Germany. Giugiaro’s compact coupé bodywork in fiberglass was wrapped around a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, while a twin-overhead-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder version of BMW’s 3.5-liter six, driving via a five-speed ZF transaxle, provided the motive power. The M1’s wedge-shaped coachwork proved highly efficient aerodynamically, needing very little in the way of additional spoilers and wings in race configuration. Lamborghini’s Gianpaolo Dallara was responsible for developing the suspension, which followed racing practice by using unequal-length wishbones at front and rear. Soberly trimmed in black and gray, the M1’s interior was exceptionally well equipped for a sports car, featuring Recaro seats, air conditioning, electric windows, remotely operated door mirrors and heated rear screen. First shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the road-going version came with 277bhp and a top speed of 160mph. Only ever intended as a limited-edition model, the M1 ceased production after only 456 examples had been built, a minimum of 400 being required for homologation. In the event, the abandonment of the Group 5 Silhouette Formula robbed the car of its raison d’être, though the M1-only Procar Series run at Grand Prix races in 1980 and ’81 provided BMW Motorsport with a valuable showcase by way of consolation. At its time of acquisition by the current owner from Don Williams’ Blackhawk Collection this remarkable example had covered a mere 3,700 miles from new. In its present collection ownership it has been regularly exercised and this has risen to a still modest 6,500 miles. Interestingly, on one longer distance journey the car’s mileage was logged by another car in convoy and it would appear that actually this is over calibrated so in fact the mileage may well be less. On inspection today the car is every bit as one would expect from such a car that has covered so few road miles, the interior shows only the slightest signs of wear, the trunk and hood compartments are both immaculate and stowed in the former are the original unused spare tire, warning triangle and tool parcel. The bodywork externally is still 28 years old though and there are a few unavoidable signs of that age such as the odd very minor paint chip or blemish. On close inspection it seems likely that the area close to the scuttle has seen attention to the paint as there is overspray on the vents which is unlikely to have been as it was supplied. Beneath the car the mileage is further endorsed, being straight and with no evidence of any structural damage having been sustained. Such was the nature of its avante garde styling that even on the road today to the untrained eye it is difficult to place an M1 as being from 3 decades ago, as an interesting segue in BMW lineage these cars will always be coveted and what better than to have one that is in its purest, unspoiled form and in this case barely used. Offered with a Minnesota Certificate of Title.

Auction archive: Lot number 258•
Auction:
Datum:
14 Aug 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
Beschreibung:

A proposed Group 5 ‘Silhouette Formula’ for production-based cars triggered the M1 program in the mid-1970s, a mid-engined concept car designed in-house at BMW by Paul Bracq providing the basis. Ex-racing driver Jochen Neerpasch was responsible for initiating this ambitious project, whose aims included taking on rivals Porsche in the World Sportscar Championship and, ultimately, victory at Le Mans. M1 development was contracted first to Lamborghini and then to Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Ital Design, although almost all cars ended up being built by BMW in Germany. Giugiaro’s compact coupé bodywork in fiberglass was wrapped around a multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, while a twin-overhead-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder version of BMW’s 3.5-liter six, driving via a five-speed ZF transaxle, provided the motive power. The M1’s wedge-shaped coachwork proved highly efficient aerodynamically, needing very little in the way of additional spoilers and wings in race configuration. Lamborghini’s Gianpaolo Dallara was responsible for developing the suspension, which followed racing practice by using unequal-length wishbones at front and rear. Soberly trimmed in black and gray, the M1’s interior was exceptionally well equipped for a sports car, featuring Recaro seats, air conditioning, electric windows, remotely operated door mirrors and heated rear screen. First shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1978, the road-going version came with 277bhp and a top speed of 160mph. Only ever intended as a limited-edition model, the M1 ceased production after only 456 examples had been built, a minimum of 400 being required for homologation. In the event, the abandonment of the Group 5 Silhouette Formula robbed the car of its raison d’être, though the M1-only Procar Series run at Grand Prix races in 1980 and ’81 provided BMW Motorsport with a valuable showcase by way of consolation. At its time of acquisition by the current owner from Don Williams’ Blackhawk Collection this remarkable example had covered a mere 3,700 miles from new. In its present collection ownership it has been regularly exercised and this has risen to a still modest 6,500 miles. Interestingly, on one longer distance journey the car’s mileage was logged by another car in convoy and it would appear that actually this is over calibrated so in fact the mileage may well be less. On inspection today the car is every bit as one would expect from such a car that has covered so few road miles, the interior shows only the slightest signs of wear, the trunk and hood compartments are both immaculate and stowed in the former are the original unused spare tire, warning triangle and tool parcel. The bodywork externally is still 28 years old though and there are a few unavoidable signs of that age such as the odd very minor paint chip or blemish. On close inspection it seems likely that the area close to the scuttle has seen attention to the paint as there is overspray on the vents which is unlikely to have been as it was supplied. Beneath the car the mileage is further endorsed, being straight and with no evidence of any structural damage having been sustained. Such was the nature of its avante garde styling that even on the road today to the untrained eye it is difficult to place an M1 as being from 3 decades ago, as an interesting segue in BMW lineage these cars will always be coveted and what better than to have one that is in its purest, unspoiled form and in this case barely used. Offered with a Minnesota Certificate of Title.

Auction archive: Lot number 258•
Auction:
Datum:
14 Aug 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
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