1981 is a particularly vintage year in our opinion here at Coolector HQ and if you thought Ferrari was the only one that made stunning supercars in this era, think again as this brilliant 1981 BMW M1 from RM Sotheby’s admirably illustrates. Billed as the genesis of the BMW M division’s long-lasting road car legacy, this truly spectacular steed from the German car maker really is a sight to behold and it will be going up for sale at the auction house’s Munich event.

The 1981 BMW M1 from RM Sotheby’s has a price tag of between £350,000 – £435,000 GBP so it patently won’t come cheap but it is one of the most interesting and striking machines we’ve seen go up for sale recently and for anyone wanting to add some visual gravitas to their classic car line up, this will definitely do the trick. It is one of only 399 examples of the road-going BMW M1 so you’ll be breathing rarified air if you get your hands on this one from RM Sotheby’s.

The BMW M1 was born out of BMW’s desire to compete in motorsport and it shines through in the sporty aesthetic of this glorious looking machine. In the late 1970s, BMW’s CSL cars were no longer competitive against Porsche’s 935, so BMW needed a new option to do battle with them. They turned to Lamborghini to help them develop a mid-engined car with a 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine, but the project was eventually taken in-house by BMW and the end result was the Majestic M1.

This BMW M1 was completed by the factory on October 9, 1980, and delivered to BMW France in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Versailles, four days later. It was not registered until February 28, 1981, when it was domiciled in the Netherlands. The original colour was Blau with a Schwarz interior, but it has since been repainted red with a black leather interior. The BMW is believed to have been exported to the United States at some point, where it was likely fitted with a miles-reading odometer, which is currently installed.

A real icon of BMW design and performance, enthusiasts of the marque need look no further than RM Sotheby’s auction in Munich—the home of BMW—for the opportunity to acquire this spectacularly presented M1. It is presented in immaculate condition and though it’s got a bit of an eye-watering price tag, it will elevate the classiness of any collector’s lineup exponentially.