BMW M1. 1979–81 (prod. 457). 2-door coupé. M/R, 3453 cm³ (I6 DOHC). Supercar from BMW, with body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, originally destined for competition usage (M standing for Motorsport). Only mass-produced mid-engined BMW to date, and the only car produced by ItalDesign, which mounted the glassfibre body on to the chassis before final assembly at Baur. Hand-built, and very rare, though 24-valve M88 engine lived on in M5 and M6 in the 1980s in modified form. Light, nimble, with a low centre of gravity; and the straight-six could see off Ferrari 512 BBs.

Manufacturing location: Stuttgart, Germany

Marque: BMW

Off-site link

• Autozine: BMW M1