Former McLaren boss received XP2 as a 'gift', then got a future F1 team to recommission it
It’s the late 1970s. BMW has just launched its new Motorsport division, which is hard at work constructing the company’s first mid-engine supercar – the M1. The M1’s development plan would see the deployment of three pre-production test cars, the first of which would end up in a barrier at the hands of Manfred Winklehock. The remaining cars would fare better, serving their purpose in preparing the M1 for Joe Public ahead of its launch in 1978.
Two years later, the M1 programme was on the rocks. While it seems unfathomable that a mid-engined, Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed BMW supercar would be seen as anything other than the peak of desire, customers struggled to justify spending 100,000 Deutsche Marks on a model from a company with little prior experience in the performance car world, save for the 2002 Turbo. The lack of demand obviously didn’t go down brilliantly with BMW.
However, M1s continued to compete in various racing series across the globe, with production contracted out to various motorsport outfits. Most of the Procars were assembled by Project Four: a single-seater racing team spearheaded by a chap called Ron Dennis. It was during a routine visit to the BMW M factory in Munich in 1980 that Dennis stumbled on the remaining M1 prototypes, which had apparently been banished to a forgotten corner of the facility.
The most obvious change is the colour, with Project Four respraying the car in dark blue shortly after acquisition. The ad also notes the car features the grooved front wings from the M1 Procar. It’s a ‘subtle’ difference over the road car, and serves little performance benefit but, apparently, is cheaper to repair in the event of a shunt.
Now, after more than 40 years in Dennis’s ownership, it’s time for the M1 to find a new home. You’ll need to give The Octane Collection and ring to find out what’s hiding behind the POA, but we're guessing it’s a fairly punchy number. On the plus side, you get a certificate of authenticity signed by Mr Dennis himself. Oh, and a car restored by a racing squad that merged with the McLaren F1 team soon after, dominating the pinnacle of motorsport for the best part of two decades.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Actual SEALs Fume at Ron DeSantis’ Navy Service ClaimsOn Wednesday night, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had an important message for those watching him participate in the first Republican debate of the p...
Consulte Mais informação »
ANALYSIS: Untangling Ron DeSantis’ debate anecdote about an improbable abortion survival storyWhen the topic of abortion came up during the first Republican primary presidential debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a perplexing anecdote...
Consulte Mais informação »
No, the debate wasn’t the ‘death of Ron DeSantis’s campaign’The attacks continue on Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) from the political team of former President Donald Trump, even if they make little sense. It is an odd recurrence because Team Trump keeps on denying DeSantis is any threat to the former president’s reelection campaign by bragging about his low poll…
Consulte Mais informação »
Ron DeSantis raises human trafficking risk in FloridaUndocumented immigrants are at greater risk of being exploited by employers because of the new immigration law, attorney Giulia Fantacci told Newsweek.
Consulte Mais informação »
BTK Serial Killer Dennis Rader Named as ‘Prime Suspect’ in 2 Unsolved MurdersDennis Rader, the notorious serial killer who called himself BTK is the “prime suspect” in two unsolved murders.
Consulte Mais informação »
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Executive Order in Preparation for Invest 93LGovernor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency for 33 counties in preparation for Invest 93L,
Consulte Mais informação »