It’s been some time since BMW final offered an replace on the M1’s restoration. The automobile in query is a white E26 that crashed in 2013 throughout the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. A brand new Instagram put up reveals the mid-engine supercar has now been stripped right down to its naked metallic, effectively, fiberglass.
Legendary artist Walter Maurer is lending a serving to hand to BMW, leading to a creation that might be nothing wanting beautiful. The 82-year-old Artwork Automobile collaborator is aware of a factor or two concerning the M1, having painted a number of Procars within the early Nineteen Eighties. Some road-going examples additionally bear his signature.
This isn’t BMW Traditional’s first rodeo with reviving an M1. Ronnie Fieg’s Techno Violet instance took a full yr to finish. Like the present work-in-progress, it’s one of many 399 street automobiles constructed. These wedge-shaped, street-legal coupes had been assembled between 1978 and 1981, with 54 Procar-spec race variations produced throughout the identical interval.
The restoration goes effectively past refreshing the Giugiaro-designed physique’s paint and lacquer. BMW can also be overhauling the M1’s internals, together with its beating coronary heart. The naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline-six codenamed “M88? is receiving the complete BMW Traditional therapy. Again within the day, it delivered 273 hp and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) to the rear wheels by way of a five-speed guide gearbox. With a high pace of 165 mph (265 km/h), it was the quickest German street automobile of its day.
Disassembling one of many 163 white automobiles offers the right alternative to revive each nut and bolt. The completed product ought to match the standard of the unique Baur-assembled automobile. How lengthy will it take? Since work started again in February, it’s unlikely the M1 might be accomplished earlier than someday in 2026.
Two years later, BMW will rejoice the supercar’s fiftieth anniversary. For its thirtieth birthday, the M1 was honored with the Hommage idea in 2008. Nevertheless, the deliberate manufacturing model, supposed to function a V10, by no means materialized. Will there be at the least one other idea in 2028? Solely BMW is aware of. Both approach, don’t count on a non secular successor anytime quickly, as M boss Frank van Meel not too long ago instructed us it’s not a precedence.
Supply: BMW Traditional / Instagram
