This 1979 BMW M1 is a true automotive and artistic rarity, featuring a unique paint design by legendary artist Walter Maurer. Known for his involvement in BMW’s iconic Art Car series, Maurer gave this M1 its distinctive “Exclusiv” paintwork, thought to be the only road-going M1 with a Maurer design. Accompanied by a 2024 letter from Maurer, this M1’s finish was imagined with its first owner, Curt Soldan, and completed shortly after the car left the factory.
Art Meets Engineering
The BMW M1 stands as one of the most revered homologation specials, bred for competition and admired for its sleek wedge shape, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro. It boasts a spaceframe chassis designed by Gian Paolo Dallara, powered by a matching-numbers 3.5-litre inline-six engine, producing 277 brake horsepower. With just 33,862 kilometres on the odometer, this M1 remains in excellent condition.
A Link to BMW’s Art Car Legacy
Maurer’s involvement with the BMW Art Car series began with the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL at Le Mans, and he played a key role in creating works with famous artists like Frank Stella and Roy Lichtenstein. The M1 Art Car painted by Andy Warhol in 1979 remains a highlight of the series. Maurer continued working with BMW on custom designs, and this M1, chassis 4301135, received its “Exclusiv” finish by Maurer soon after its production, featuring a Pearl White base coat accented by darker grey airbrushing on the bonnet and roof.
Provenance and Condition
Originally delivered to Curt Soldan, the car’s first owner, it was later registered in the UK in 1989, where it remained with three owners before returning to Germany in 2009. It is currently part of The Munich Masterpieces Collection and retains its matching-numbers engine. A BMW Classic Birth Certificate accompanies the car, further confirming its authenticity.
This 1979 BMW M1 ‘Exclusiv by Walter Maurer’ represents a unique intersection of motorsport heritage and artistic expression, making it a compelling piece for both BMW enthusiasts and art collectors alike.
Source: rmsothebys.com
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
