Meet the DeLorean’s Cooler, More Time-Travel-Averse Older Brother

This restored BMW may not break records, but it’ll break necks

September 21, 2016 9:00 am

And now, for something quite special.

This 1979 BMW M1 Procar, one of just 40 ever built, happens to be the only road-going model of its kind in the world. In our opinion, it is also the coolest. By default, sure, but it would’ve been anyway.

Back in the day, BMW’s M1 Procar racing series didn’t fair well on the track. They burned rubber for a couple of seasons before fading into the darkness. Originally engineered for the track, they earned a reputation for being an unreasonable sell … and then became no more altogether.  

But who needs records when you have refinement like this?

The handywork of Bruce Canepa in California, this M1 revamp used many of the original Procar parts, including suspension uprights, hubs, control arms, tie rods, axles, mirrors, a Procar body kit and rear wing and 17” BBS rims — none of which are growing on trees. To get the job done, a few items were upgraded, like the Brembo caliper brakes via a Porsche 962 and Penske coil-overs. Under the hood, she’s working with a rebuilt VAC Motorsports engine with 414 hp and 357 lb-ft of torque and a ZF five-speed manual transaxle overhauled by Vintage Racing Motors.

And inside, the M1’s quite the looker, with Canepa’s custom upholstery work with black leather and grey stitching, an electric mirror switch, door air vents, manual window caps and re-finished seat inserts, door inserts, a firewall and a perforated leather headliner.

Then there’s that immaculate paint job in killer Basalt Blau. BMW enthusiasts might object to its lack of period-specificity, but in fact, there were four OG M1’s constructed for special members of the BMW board that donned the same shade.

DeLorean who?

via BMW Blog

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