California Property with Bidding Upwards of $300,000
An opportunity has arisen for BMW enthusiasts as an original and slightly-used M1 is listed on Bring A Trailer, granting the chance to acquire this exclusive and exceptional performance vehicle located in Emeryville, California.
The M1 is the original independently produced BMW M vehicle – the forerunner of the XM plug-in hybrid SUV. This 1980 unit available for purchase is among the roughly 400 units crafted for everyday use, with an additional estimated 50 units specifically designed for racing purposes.
Crafted by the acclaimed Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the automaker’s racing branch conceptualized the M1 as a homologation design for FIA Group 5 sport racing cars. This specific model – displaying 20,000 km (13,000 miles) on the odometer – was shipped from Europe to America in 1987 and ultimately bought by its present owner in 2016.
In terms of its exterior, the M1 boasts some notable aesthetic enhancements, most notably the distinctive BMW Motorsport tri-color stripes that are still a prominent feature on the brand’s most recent race cars. This model also includes unequal-length A-arms, Bilstein gas shock absorbers with adjustable height, and coil springs. Additionally, it sports 16-inch Campagnolo wheels fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires (205/55 in the front and 225/50 in the rear) and features servo-assisted ventilated disc brakes. The previous owner of this vehicle took extra care by having the springs professionally powder coated and rebuilding the brake calipers.
According to the seller, Pimentel Innovations carried out some maintenance work on the bumpers, rock chip repair on the rocker panels and mirror caps, and touch-ups on the paintwork in 2017.
The passenger compartment of the two-seater greets travelers with elegant blue leather seating. The owner has equipped it with various amenities, such as a Europa cassette player, built-in door speakers, automated windows, and cooling air conditioning. In 2017, Acker Leather Works expertly renewed the center console and door panels.
The motor powering the car is a centrally-located 3.5-liter M88 inline-six. Originally, it generates an impressive output of 277 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a Kugelfischer-Bosch fuel injection, six separate throttle bodies, and a dry-sump lubrication mechanism.
The upcoming owner will operate the vehicle with a five-speed manual transmission, ensuring that all power is directed to the rear wheels. In January of 2017, maintenance was performed on vital parts such as coolant hoses, fuel hoses, injector lines, and heat shields.
The present offer, set to expire on January 23rd, is at $280,000 – a decent amount considering that certain M1 models have been known to fetch upwards of half a million dollars. The purchase will also come with an assortment of tools, a first-aid kit, a reproduction owner’s manual, service documentation, and a valid Montana title.