One of BMW’s most legendary cars, the 1980 M1, is listed for $666,000 and still looks museum-ready

The 1980 BMW M1 represents a turning point for BMW Motorsport, blending cutting-edge engineering with a racing legacy deeply tied to Formula 1.

Conceived as BMW’s first true supercar, the M1 arrived at a time when the company was determined to prove it could compete with the very best.

What followed was a production saga filled with delays, detours, and unlikely partnerships.

From that turmoil emerged a car that would define the future of BMW Motorsport.

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Only 453 cars were ever made

This example, now listed for $666,000, is among the final M1s ever produced and remains in exceptional, factory-correct condition.

Finished in rare Nachtblau over a black leather and grey cloth interior, it has covered just 39,500 km (24,544 miles), and has had five owners since new.

First registered on 29 December 1980, this 1980 BMW M1 was originally delivered to Belgium, where it is believed to have served as a company car for a senior executive.

Its subsequent journey took it through Canada and Switzerland, where it spent nearly three decades in the hands of a private collector, driven sparingly and preserved with care.

The M1’s origin story is one of the most unusual in automotive history.

Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro at ItalDesign, BMW initially partnered with Lamborghini to bring the mid-engined concept to life.

Financial turmoil at Lamborghini nearly killed the project, but a group of former employees regrouped under ItalEngineering to rescue it.

What followed was a globe-spanning production process: a tubular steel spaceframe by Marchesi, fibreglass bodywork by TIR, drivetrain installation at Baur in Stuttgart, and final inspection in Munich.

Only 453 cars were completed, with just 54 earmarked for racing.

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A special 1980 BMW M1 was built for Formula 1 star Niki Lauda

Under the rear deck sits the legendary 3.5-litre M88 straight-six, developed by Paul Rosche.

In road trim it produced 277 horsepower, delivered through a ZF five-speed manual gearbox.

This was good for 162 mph, and a 0–60mph sprint of 5.4 seconds.

With individual throttle bodies and mechanical fuel injection, it was as exotic as anything from Italy.

In competition form, the engine would go on to produce up to 1,000 horsepower in turbocharged Group 5 guise.

While traditional motorsport success proved elusive, the M1 found fame in the Procar Championship, where Formula 1 stars like Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet raced identical cars in front of captivated crowds.

In fact, the actual BMW M1 that Lauda won as a championship trophy just went on sale late last year.

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