BMW M1 Procar: The Supercar BMW Built for Formula One Glory

Racing Rarity - For fans of automotive history, the late 1970s marked an era of bold experimentation and engineering leaps across Europe’s top performance car makers. Ferrari had their flat-12s, Porsche pushed turbocharged innovation, and BMW—long respected for its touring cars—sought to break into the supercar elite with a machine unlike any it had built before. The result was the BMW M1 Procar, a rare and compelling fusion of art, racing pedigree, and groundbreaking design that still turns heads nearly five decades later.

The BMW M1 Procar is a rare and compelling fusion of art, racing pedigree, and groundbreaking design that still turns heads nearly five decades later. (Picture from: BMW-M)

Born out of necessity and ambition, the M1’s story is one of high aspirations and complex collaboration. As BMW Motorsport looked to move past the dominance of its 3.0 CSL in the racing world, the company made a strategic decision: leave behind the familiar front-engine layout and embrace the mid-engine architecture favored by the world’s leading performance marques.

The vision for the BMW M1 Procar was clear—BMW needed something radical in both performance and image, with design by Italian maestro Giorgetto Giugiaro and initial manufacturing handled by Lamborghini. (Picture from: BMW-M)

The vision was clear—BMW needed something radical, both in performance and in image. To bring that vision to life, BMW assembled a dream team. Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, already a legend for his work on the Lotus Esprit and DeLorean DMC-12, was tasked with shaping the M1’s low-slung, aggressive silhouette.

The BMW M1 Procar featured a low-slung, aggressive silhouette and boasted lightweight fiberglass bodywork over a steel space frame. (Picture from: BMW-M)

For the engineering and construction phase, BMW turned to Lamborghini, who at the time was celebrated for its mid-engine experience with models like the Miura and Countach. However, the collaboration wasn’t without hiccups. Financial troubles at Lamborghini caused delays and forced BMW to eventually shift production to other suppliers, but the foundation of the car had been laid.

The BMW M1 Procar was powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter inline-six engine producing a staggering 470 horsepower with a redline nearing 9,000 rpm, complemented by razor-sharp steering and a five-speed manual transmission that delivered power to the rear wheels with unapologetic brutality. (Picture from: Retromania4ever on X)

With a mid-mounted 3.5-liter inline-six engine producing a staggering 470 horsepower and a redline brushing 9,000 rpm, the M1 Procar was built to dominate the track. It boasted lightweight fiberglass bodywork over a steel space frame, razor-sharp steering, and a five-speed manual transmission that put power to the rear wheels with unapologetic brutality. It sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in just about 4.4 seconds and could reach a top speed nearing 192 mph—a jaw-dropping figure for the era.

The rear section of the BMW M1 Procar was engineered not only for striking aesthetics but also to enhance aerodynamic performance, featuring elements such as a massive rear spoiler that provided increased downforce and improved stability at high speeds. (Picture from: BMW-M)

Yet BMW faced an unexpected challenge: in order to compete in the Group 4 racing class, at least 400 road-going units of the BMW M1 had to be produced for homologation. With the production setbacks, this requirement was slow to meet, risking the M1’s racing future. Rather than let the car’s potential waste away, BMW created their own series—the Procar Championship. Slotted as a support series for Formula One weekends, Procar races saw legendary F1 drivers like Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet battle it out in identically prepared M1s. It was thrilling, dramatic, and ultimately cemented the M1 Procar as a motorsport icon.

The 1979 BMW M1 Procar received a unique personal touch from Andy Warhol, who painted directly onto the car to capture his vision of speed and motion in every brushstroke. (Picture from: Supercarsnet)

Among the most legendary examples of this model is the M1 Procar painted by Andy Warhol in 1979. Unlike other BMW Art Cars, which were usually painted on scale models and transferred to full-size versions by technicians, Warhol took a more personal approach—he painted directly onto the car, capturing his vision of speed and motion in every brushstroke. 

The 1979 BMW M1 Procar painted by Andy Warhol competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished sixth overall—an impressive feat for a newcomer. (Picture from: Supercarsnet)

That very car raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished sixth overall, a remarkable result for a newcomer. Today, it remains part of BMW’s private collection, and despite numerous high-value offers, the company has never entertained selling it.

The 1979 BMW M1 Procar was originally destined for competition under the ownership of Vasek Polak, but regulatory changes rendered it ineligible before it could ever debut. (Picture from: MouseMotors)

Another fascinating piece of this story lies with one specific M1 Procar completed by BMW in May of 1979, originally destined for competition under the ownership of Vasek Polak. Unfortunately, regulatory changes made it ineligible before it could properly debut. The car remained preserved for a decade before finding a new owner in 1989. 

This 1979 BMW M1 Procar, once owned by Vasek Polak, is believed to be the only remaining example that never saw active racing use—making it a true unicorn among an already rare breed. (Picture from: MouseMotors)

Meticulously maintained, this particular M1 is believed to be the only remaining example that never saw active racing use, making it a unicorn among an already rare breed. In 2021, it changed hands once more and continues to be carefully preserved and enjoyed during private track events. | qw1qD03YbWw |

From its exotic Italian design roots and German engineering excellence to its brief but brilliant racing career and crossover into the art world, the BMW M1 Procar is more than just a car—it’s a symbol of a brand pushing its boundaries at full throttle. In a time when supercars were still finding their identity, the M1 stood out as a rebellious masterpiece. Today, it remains a treasured reminder of when passion, innovation, and just the right amount of risk collided on the racetrack. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW-M | BMW-M1-CLUB | SUPERCARS.NET | RMSOTHEBYS | SPORTSCARMARKET | GQ-MAGAZINE | MOUSEMOTORS | RETROMANIA4EVER ON X ]

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