Carlassic
  • Home
  • PAST
  • PRESENT
  • FUTURE
186K Likes
15K Followers
Carlassic
Carlassic Carlassic
  • Home
  • PAST
  • PRESENT
  • FUTURE
  • Lamborghini Countach 1
    Lambo Lovers it’s Lamborghini Countach 5000S
    • March 8, 2017
  • Alfa Romeo 2
    Alfa Romeo RL Super Sport Zagato
    • May 18, 2017
  • Pony car 3
    Pony Vs. Muscle Cars
    • July 28, 2017
  • Classic car 250 GT SWB 4
    The Classic Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
    • August 16, 2016
M1
  • BMW
  • classic
  • Classic Cars
  • PAST
  • Vintage Cars

The 1978 BMW M1 And The Beauty Of Cross-Continent Collaboration

  • August 5, 2020
  • Atal Hakikat
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0

In 1978, BMW introduced its first ever sports car with aspirations of keeping up with the astounding innovations that were happening around the European continent. BMW took the decision to transcend its image of producing just family oriented cars into a reputable sports car powerhouse. Enter the M1!

Throughout their history, BMW time and time again have cemented their reputation as a high end manufacturer and the M1 serves as a prime example.

m1
@canepamotorsport

“the Lamborghini influence is everywhere to be seen in the car, with its elegant curves yet aggressive profile.”

Since it was their first ever sports car, they struck a deal with Lamborghini to design and produce the M1, which also explains the Italian style the car had. This deal ended in 1981, hence the end of production for these cars but nonetheless, the Lamborghini influence is everywhere to be seen in the car, with its elegant curves yet aggressive profile.

1978 BMW M1 Features

The car had a low centre of gravity, pop-up headlights and a wedge look that was very reminiscent of Italian cars at the time. This was a car that reflected its designer’s style but also the style of its time. There was a certain style that was popular in the late 70’s, 80’s period where cars looked a bit boxy and also the head and tail lights came across cheap looking. The M1 wasn’t any different. The tail lights were on the larger side and were a bit tacky.

Unique to this BMW thought were its logo placement, the rear tail lights had two BMW emblems located above them but that idea was discontinued after the end of the M1’s production. 

The interior was not much to write home about either with again, it’s period style. The cabin area consisted of hard plastic which in this day and age would look very cheap. There wasn’t much space in the cabin nor did it have a trunk, which was typical of mid-engine placement that usually hindered this. The seats were both fabric and leather, contributing to its theme. A theme left in the past and rightfully so.

The inside of the bonnet also reflected its Italian precursor, featuring the modern stand of mid-mounted engines. Clearly, the M1 was designed with performance in its mind, starting with the engine at its heart. In fact, the M1 was the first car BMW conceived with a mid-mounted engine and which seemed to be the thing to do after the Miura and Dino proved it could be done. Mid-engines were the standard of race cars for years but it was thought to be too dangerous for production cars to have them.

Like many BMWs that came before and after the M1, it was exquisite to drive. The handling was brilliant and the brakes were responsive. In addition, the overall drive was pleasant. However, it wasn’t exactly thrilling, which is what a sports car is supposed to do, thrill. It certainly wasn’t slow and in fact, it was considered a fast car in that day with speeds of 264 km/h. It just didn’t quite belong with the top tier of sports cars of that decade, albeit the M1 was a fine car and certainly set a precedent for BMW to build on for years to come.

The influence of Lamborghini in the M1 is overt and conspicuous. It almost is an imposter, an actor in disguise. With its Italian influence and German roots, the M1 is an intriguing car for any enthusiast or collector. The M1 may not belong in the tier of classic greats, but despite this, it charmingly highlights the beauty of cross-continent collaboration. For more visit the offical website: https://www.bmw.com/en-au

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • BMW
  • M1
You May Also Like
BMW iX xDrive40
MORE
  • BMW
  • PRESENT

The New BMW iX 40: Everyday Electric Usability

  • Atal Hakikat
  • July 28, 2021
1967-FORD-MUSTANG-ELEANOR-TRIBUTE-EDITION-248123
MORE
  • Ford
  • Mustang
  • PAST

The Classic 1967 Ford Mustang: ‘Eleanor Tribute Midnight Edition’

  • Atal Hakikat
  • July 9, 2021
1995 HKS T-002 / BCNR33 Record Breaker
MORE
  • Race Cars
  • PAST
  • Racing

The Record Breaking 1995 HKS T-002/ BCNR33

  • Atal Hakikat
  • July 6, 2021
The Renault 5 Turbo2 Maxi
MORE
  • Renault
  • PAST

The 1985 Renault 5 Turbo2 Maxi: A True Racing Legend

  • Atal Hakikat
  • July 1, 2021
Totem-GT Electric-AlfaRomeo-GT
MORE
  • alfa romeo
  • FUTURE
  • PAST
  • PRESENT
  • Rebuild

Totem Automobili’s Authentic GT Electric Alfa Romeo

  • Atal Hakikat
  • January 20, 2021
Mercedes-Benz 300SLR
MORE
  • Classic Car Collection
  • Classic Cars
  • Mercedes
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • PAST
  • Racing
  • Unique Cars
  • Vintage Cars

The Legendary Mercedes-Benz Uhlenhaut Coupe 300 SLR

  • Atal Hakikat
  • August 24, 2020
dino
MORE
  • classic
  • Classic Car Collection
  • Ferrari
  • PAST
  • Unique Cars
  • Vintage Cars

The Dino 246 was one of Ferrari’s most memorable.

  • Atal Hakikat
  • August 5, 2020
FJ40
MORE
  • Classic Cars
  • PAST
  • Toyota
  • Vintage Cars

The classic FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser

  • Atal Hakikat
  • August 5, 2020
186K
15K
Get the latest from Carlassic

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Carlassic
Classic car enthusiast in Australia
Tags
Alfa Romeo Auction Australia BMW Bugatti Buick Car enthusiast Cars Car show Celebrity Chevrolet Classic Classic car Classic car auction Classic Car Collection Classic car event Classic cars Fast car Ferrari Ford Ford Mustang History Jaguar James Bond Lamborghini Luxury car Mercedes Benz Million-dollar Car Muscle Car Mustang Porsche Race car Racing rare Rare Car Rare cars Restoration Roadster Sports Sports car Unique car Unique Cars Vintage vintage car Vintage cars
Recent
  • The Audi Skysphere
    The All New ‘Audi Skysphere’ Redefines Road Luxury
    • August 17, 2021
  • BMW iX xDrive40
    The New BMW iX 40: Everyday Electric Usability
    • July 28, 2021
  • LEGENDARY GT40 GOES ELECTRIC
    The Legendary GT40 Turns Electric Thanks To Everrati & Superformance Partnership
    • July 19, 2021
  • 1967-FORD-MUSTANG-ELEANOR-TRIBUTE-EDITION-248123
    The Classic 1967 Ford Mustang: ‘Eleanor Tribute Midnight Edition’
    • July 9, 2021
  • The Rimac Nevera
    The Revolutionary ‘Rimac Nevera’ Storms Into London With H.R. Owen
    • July 8, 2021
Carlassic
  • Home
  • PAST
  • PRESENT
  • FUTURE
Classic, Vintage and Unique Cars

Input your search keywords and press Enter.