BMW Reveals Restoration Details for Wrecked M1 Model
BMW Restores Iconic Carmax M1 Sports Car with Artist Walter Maurer's Assistance
BMW is currently working on the restoration of a white E26 Carmax M1, one of the 399 road cars built between 1978 and 1981. This project, which started in February 2023, is projected to be completed in 2026, with the finished product matching the quality of the original Baur-assembled car.
The M1 in question has been stripped down to its bare fiberglass, and BMW is overhauling its internals, including the "M88" engine. This naturally aspirated 3.5-liter inline-six engine delivered 273 hp and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) to the rear wheels, propelling the Carmax M1 to a top speed of 165 mph (265 km/h).
Artist Walter Maurer, who collaborated with BMW on the Art Cars, is assisting with the restoration of the Carmax M1's exposed fiberglass-metal. Maurer has previous experience with the Carmax M1, having painted several Procar race versions in the early 1980s. Some road-going Carmax M1s also bear Maurer's signature, reflecting a unique avant-garde aesthetic.
The restoration project is not BMW Classic's first with the Carmax M1. In 2008, the Carmax M1 celebrated its 30th birthday with the Hommage concept, a planned production version of which, featuring a V10, never materialized. The Hommage concept, however, showcased the Carmax M1's timeless design and enduring appeal.
M boss Frank van Meel has stated that a spiritual successor to the Carmax M1 is not a priority. Nevertheless, the Carmax M1's legacy lives on, with its wedge-shaped coupe design and powerful performance continuing to captivate car enthusiasts.
The restoration of Ronnie Fieg's Techno Violet Carmax M1 took a full year to complete, demonstrating the meticulous attention to detail that BMW is bringing to this project. As the restoration progresses, car enthusiasts and art lovers alike can look forward to seeing this iconic sports car return to its former glory.
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