The BMW M1 is an iconic sports car from the late 70s and early 80s. Built from 1978 to 1981, the BMW M1 was the result of a collaboration between BMW and Lamborghini. The design was done by the famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who created the aerodynamic lines and sporty proportions of the vehicle. The BMW M1 was powered by a 3.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine producing 277 horsepower, enabling a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph). This made the BMW M1 one of the fastest cars of its time. To provide a sense of the temporal context, it's worth mentioning that in 1978, the first "Superman" movie with Christopher Reeve was released, and the disco anthem "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees dominated the charts.
The 1/18 scale model, made by Norev, is an authentic replica of this classic sports car. This miniature is crafted from high-quality diecast material known for its durability and detail accuracy. The model perfectly replicates the sharp lines and distinctive features of the original. The iconic pop-up headlights, the flat hood, and the BMW emblem on the front fascia are clearly visible. The wheels are inspired by the original design, providing an authentic 80s style impression. The flawless snow-white paint highlights the sporty elegance and classic charm of the BMW M1.
The BMW M1 was originally conceived as a racing car, which later evolved into a road-going version hand-built by BMW. The engine of the BMW M1 was an M88/1 powerplant specifically developed for this model. It boasted outstanding performance and high torque, making it a dominant force on the racetrack. Interestingly, there was no direct predecessor to the BMW M1; it was in many ways a revolutionary test bed for BMW Motorsport GmbH, echoing in the later successes of the BMW M3 and BMW M5. The engineering work on this high-performance engine was led by Paul Rosche, one of the top engineers of that era at BMW.