BMW M1

The BMW M1 is perhaps the company’s most well-known and sought-after supercar. After all, BMW may routinely produce performance cars as part of its standard likeup but mid-engined supercars come along rarely. This particular M1 had fallen off the radar of many collectors and enthusiasts after a high-profile stint as an LPG-powered land speed record holder at the hands of a well-known Austrian driver. The driver, Harald Ertl, had enjoyed a career of isolated successes: he was a regular fixture on the world’s best circuits, including Formula 1, the European Touring Car Championship, and Group 5 racing series, often at the wheel of a BMW. With his career beginning to fade as it approached the 1980s. Ertl decided to embark on a new goal of setting a land-speed record. Cleverly, they identified the BMW M1 as the supercar of choice and then secured a corporate sponsor in BP, which was looking to promote its liquid-petroleum gas as an alternative to traditional pump fuel. In order to make the record attainable, the M1’s legendary M88 straight-six was modified with a pair of K26 turbochargers from well-known boost expert KKK. While official figures aren’t available, the output was just over 400 b.h.p., but according to Petrolicious’ interviewee accounts, the output may have been closer to 500. After the M1 was retired, its complicated LPG-powered M88 was removed and a standard replacement M88 was installed. While certainly far less raucous, the original twin-turbo kit is still with the car and an Alpina-branded boost controller is still dead-center in the dash. After a series of ownership changes, the M1 ended up with an enthusiast in the U.K. who had an eye for special cars but no place to store them. The M1 for years sat parked on the street, playing bumper cars with other commuter vehicles and trucks. It’s a strange fate for such a special vehicle, and now the son of the last owner is faced with the challenge of a costly restoration, both to preserve his father’s passions and what is undoubtedly a special and unique car. Read more at https://barnfinds.com/street-parked-former-bmw-autogas-m1-racer/#h7Mx8I7R5tkrtqqP.99