The BMW M1 (E26) is an iconic, mid-engined sports car produced by BMW M GmbH between 1978 and 1981.
Here are the key facts about the car:
* First and Only True Supercar: It holds the distinction of being BMW's first-ever purpose-built, mid-engined road car and is often considered the brand's only "true" supercar.
* Purpose: It was initially conceived as a homologation special for Group 4 racing, meaning BMW had to build a specific number of road-legal versions (400) to qualify for the racing series.
* Design: Its distinctive wedge shape was designed by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, taking inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo concept car.
* Engine: It is powered by the M88 3.5-liter inline six-cylinder engine (BMW's first four-valve-per-cylinder engine).
* Road Version Specs: Produced 277 hp (204 kW) and was capable of a top speed of about 262 \text{ km/h} (163 mph).
* Race Version (Procar): The racing versions for the Procar series produced around 470 hp.
* Production & Rarity: Due to a complicated production process involving collaborations with several Italian firms (including an initial, ultimately failed, partnership with Lamborghini), the production was limited.
* Only 453 units were built in total (about 399 road cars and 54 Procar race cars), making it an exceptionally rare and highly collectible BMW.
* Procar Championship: A one-make racing series called the BMW M1 Procar Championship was created, where famous Formula 1 drivers raced identical M1s as a support race for Grand Prix events.
* Art Car: One of the M1 race cars achieved additional fame as a BMW Art Car, painted by the legendary Pop Art artist A
ndy Warhol.
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