BMW M1 (E26) Introduction

The E26 M1 is BMW's only mid-engine production sports car and the only product of BMW Motorsport GmbH that is not based on an existing production model from BMW AG. It has a two-seat GRP body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and a 24-valve version of the production M30 inline-six derived from the unit used in the 3.0CSL competition cars known as the M88. here are many conflicting production numbers regarding the E26 M1. The official BMW production figures show that 453 examples were produced in a three-year period between July 1978 and July 1981. Of these, between 54 were competition versions, while the remaining 399 examples constitute the road-going street cars. It is thought that the final street-legal M1 (non-Procar) was produced in February 1981. The E26 M1 project was approved by BMW AG in 1976 under the condition that it would not interfere with the production of any other BMW model. BMW Motorsport initially contracted Lamborghini to assemble the cars with engines produced and shipped from Germany. However, severe financial troubles at Lamborghini forced BMW to terminate their agreement with the Italian supercar maker. Thus, the production examples of the E26 M1 were partially assembled at Ital Design in Turin using fiberglass bodywork supplied by T.I.R and tubular spaceframes supplied by Marchesi. Final assembly was then conducted at the Baur coachworks in Stuttgart, Germany. Each M1 was then given a final inspection at the BMW Motorsport facility in Munich before being delivered to its owner. The M88 engine that powers the E26 M1 is based on the 3,453-cc (via a bore of 93.4mm and stroke of 84mm) M30 inline-six that powered the contemporary BMW 6 Series and 7 Series models of the era. However, the M88 received a number of unique components including: Tuned for street use, the M88 engine produces 277 hp (204kW) at 6,500 rpm and 239 lb/ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Racing versions produced 470 hp (350 kW) for Group 4 (normally-aspirated) and up to 850 hp (633 kW) for Group 5 (turbocharged). The E26 M1 uses a ZF five-speed manual gearbox with a "dogleg" shift pattern and the following ratios: 2.42 (1), 1.61 (2), 1.14 (3), 0.846 (4), 0.704 (5). This is mated to a 4.22:1 rear axle with limited slip differential (40 percent locking). The E26 M1 is equipped with four-wheel vented disc brakes manufactured by ATE. The front rotors are 11.8-inches in diameter while the rear rotors measure 11.7-inches. ABS was not offered. The E26 M1 was fitted exclusively with Pirelli P7 tires, sized 205/55VR16 in front and 225/50VR16 in the rear. The Campagnolo wheels contain BMW Motorsport center caps and are unique to the M1. They are sized 7x16-inch (front) and 8x16-inch (rear) . The Giugiaro-designed bodywork of the E26 M1 is made of GRP (fiberglass) and shares no panels with any other BMW model. Except for some minor switchgear carried over from the E21 3 Series and E24 6 Series, the interior of the E26 M1 is also largely unique. The seats are specific to the M1 and are manufactured by Recaro. The dashboard and seat bolsters are covered in leather, while the inner portion of the seats, door panels and headliner are covered in a textured cloth. The three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel with early BMW Motorsport logo in the center was later shared with the E12 M535i. All M1 street cars were fitted as standard with air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors and a Becker radio/cassette audio system. There were no factory options for the road version of the E26 M1.