Unraced 1980 BMW M1 Procar Sells for $1.76 Million at Monterey

On the 2025 Monterey Jet Middle public sale, certainly one of BMW’s rarest competitors vehicles — and maybe certainly one of its most completely preserved — crossed the block and made headlines. On August 14, Broad Arrow Auctions offered chassis quantity 94301057, a 1980 BMW M1 Procar, for $1.6 million on the hammer, or $1.76 million with purchaser’s premium.

This was no abnormal race automobile. In reality, it was hardly raced in any respect. Chassis 94301057 by no means entered a Procar Championship occasion, by no means fought wheel-to-wheel with Method 1 legends, and by no means endured the mechanical punishment of a whole racing season. As a substitute, it lived a lifetime of shakedowns, exhibition laps, and some years left alone in storage — a time capsule from BMW Motorsport’s golden period.

Why a By no means-Raced Procar Instructions Seven Figures

To collectors, originality will be price greater than a victory document. Out of simply 54 BMW M1 Procars ever constructed, most had been raced onerous, repainted, repaired, and rebuilt a number of instances. Many misplaced their unique elements a long time in the past. This instance stands aside: it nonetheless wears its manufacturing facility white paint, retains its unique inside, and carries all its as-delivered mechanicals — from the 470-horsepower M88/1 straight-six to the ZF five-speed gearbox.

In impact, it’s a reference-grade Procar, preserved because it left BMW Motorsport’s workshop in 1979. For concours judges, museum curators, or classic racing fanatics, such a automobile gives unmatched historic authenticity. Its lack of aggressive mileage means it has by no means been bent, patched, or compromised — a uncommon alternative to personal a “brand-new” race automobile from almost half a century in the past.

Chassis 94301057: From Vasek Polak to As we speak

Completed on Might 9, 1979, this Procar was ready by Osella in Italy earlier than being delivered to Vasek Polak, the Czech-born racer and famend Porsche supplier in California. Polak examined the automobile at Riverside Worldwide Raceway, however rule modifications ended its aggressive eligibility earlier than it might enter a single race. The automobile went into storage, nonetheless carrying its manufacturing facility white paint and with out sponsorship livery.

In 1989, it handed to a second proprietor, remaining untouched mechanically and cosmetically. The present proprietor acquired it in 2021 and commissioned a full service at The Werkshop in 2022. Since then, it has seen solely mild observe use.

A Collector’s Dream

Out of the 54 Procars constructed, nearly none stay in such untouched situation. This automobile’s originality makes it an ideal candidate for high-profile concours shows, museum preservation, and even classic racing with minimal restoration. Given the M1 Procar’s significance — as BMW Motorsport’s first ground-up creation and the centerpiece of a one-make collection that introduced F1 champions into equal equipment — it’s no shock that chassis 94301057 commanded a premium at Monterey.

Its $1.76 million last worth is as a lot a testomony to its historic purity as it’s to the enduring legend of the M1 Procar itself.

[Photos: Tom Plucinski]