BMW has recently announced the most powerful M-car it has ever made with the 2021 M5 CS.
For those who prefer retro German performance, however, American auction website Bring a Trailer is currently hosting the sale of BMW’s original mid-engined supercar.
Only 453 examples of the BMW M1 were made, and this modified AHG Studie is even rarer. That this exotic BMW was owned by the late actor – and noted car collector – Paul Walker will only add to its appeal.
German heart, Italian body
BMW embarked on the M1 project looking to enter FISA Group 5 sports car racing. The formula had been dominated by German rivals Porsche, but BMW wanted in on the action.
Lamborghini was initially chosen to develop and build the M1, with Giorgetto Giugiaro responsible for styling the fiberglass bodywork. A tubular spaceframe chassis was crafted by Dallara.
As the project developed, BMW feared that Lamborghini was not financially capable of completing the work. It took the M1 back in-house, with final hand-finished production undertaken by Baur in Germany.
Delays and rule changes meant the M1 was not used for Group 5 racing, with BMW switching to Group 4 competition instead.
A race car for the road
A total of 53 examples would be made for motorsport, chiefly in BMW’s own one-make M1 Procar Championship. The remaining cars would all be for road use, but still packing the same competition technology as their racing siblings.
Ten of those road cars were modified by German BMW dealership AHG. Made to look like the racing M1s used in the Procar series, they received a comprehensive makeover.
Most noticeable is the bespoke Hermann Altmiks paintwork, which was unique for every AHG M1. An aero kit inspired by the Procar racers, with a large front splitter, side skirts and rear spoiler, was also added.
Mid-engined masterpiece
AHG would also flare the fenders of the M1, fitting a set of 16-inch split-rim BBS alloy wheels wearing wide rubber. Adjustable suspension furthered the motorsport connection.
The 3.5-liter straight-six engine, developed by Paul Rosche, produced 277 horsepower in a regular M1. However, AHG pushed this to an impressive 350 horsepower, helped by a new exhaust system. A five-speed manual transaxle with a limited-slip differential was standard.
Given that a standard BMW M1 is capable of 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, a modified AHG version should deliver even swifter supercar pace.
Ultimate low-mileage machine
Although the M1 may be a street racer on the outside, the interior is relatively comfortable. Leather upholstery, power windows, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt cassette player are all included.
This BMW was imported to the United States in 1995, remaining part of a collection in Georgia until 2011. It was later purchased by the AE Performance collection, shared between Paul Walker and Roger Rodas.
Acquired by the seller in 2014, the M1 has covered 4,200 miles from new. Only 50 of those miles have been added to the odometer by the current owner.
The original M-car
The rarity of an AHG-modified BMW M1 means the final selling price is likely to be substantial. A listing at the 2015 Mecum Monterey auction came with an estimate of $550,000 to $650,000 (£400,000 to £475,000), although the M1 failed to sell.
Accordingly, the level of bidding on Bring a Trailer has already been strong, taking the car deep into six figures.
The auction is set to end on Monday, February 1, with the final price likely to be far beyond even the new BMW M5 CS.
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