NIKI LAUDA'S 1980 BMW M1 HEADS TO AUCTION

Summary

• A 1980 BMW M1 awarded to Niki Lauda for winning the 1979 Procar Championship goes to auction at Mecum Kissimmee on January 17, 2026, with estimates between $625,000 and $675,000 USD
• The white M1 features a rare Procar front air dam and hand-painted BMW Motorsport livery signed by BMW Art Car artist Walter Maurer
• With 20,350 kilometers on the odometer, the mid-engine supercar houses a 3.5L inline-six engine producing 266 HP and retains its original blue leather interior

The 1980 BMW M1 awarded to Niki Lauda crosses the auction block in January 2026. Mecum will offer the car at its Kissimmee sale on January 17. The M1 stands as a trophy car, given to the three-time Formula 1 World Champion after he won the inaugural 1979 BMW M1 Procar Championship.

BMW produced 399 road-legal M1 examples between 1978 and 1981. This specific car represents one of those rare examples. The M1 marked BMW's first mid-engine production vehicle and the debut of the M division's road car program.

Lauda received this M1 as recognition for his Procar Championship victory. The series ran as a support category for Formula 1 races in 1979 and 1980. Lauda took wins at Monaco and Silverstone during the 1979 season, securing the championship title.

The car wears white paintwork with hand-painted BMW Motorsport tri-color stripes. Walter Maurer, known for his work on BMW Art Cars, applied and signed the livery. The front end features a Procar-style air dam, a component not found on standard road versions. This aerodynamic piece gives the M1 a race-inspired appearance.

Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the M1's wedge shape at Italdesign. The styling remains sharp and aggressive. The mid-mounted 3.5L inline-six engine sits behind the cabin, producing 266 HP. A five-speed ZF manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels. BMW claimed a top speed of 165 MPH for the M1.

The interior preserves its original condition. Blue leather covers the seats and trim surfaces. The cabin includes air conditioning and a Becker Europa stereo, period-correct equipment for 1980. The odometer shows 20,350 kilometers, approximately 12,650 miles. The undercarriage displays detailed preservation work.

Mecum estimates the M1 will sell for between $625,000 and $675,000 USD. The provenance adds value beyond the car's rarity. Lauda earned this vehicle through competition, not purchase. He drove identical M1 race cars to victory, creating a direct connection between his championship success and this road car.

The M1 program faced production challenges. BMW initially planned to homologate the car for Group 4 racing. Rule changes forced the company to pivot. The Procar Championship emerged as an alternative racing platform. BMW commissioned Lamborghini to build M1 chassis, while Baur in Stuttgart handled final assembly. The complicated production process limited total output.

Lauda competed in the Procar series while racing for Brabham in Formula 1. The Procar Championship featured Formula 1 drivers alongside privateers. BMW provided M1 Procars for the series, creating close competition among elite drivers. Lauda's championship win added another title to his collection of racing accomplishments.

The M1's design influenced future BMW performance cars. The tri-color M stripes became a lasting symbol. The mid-engine layout never returned to BMW production cars, making the M1 unique in the company's history.

Mecum will present the M1 at its Kissimmee auction venue in Florida. The sale takes place during Mecum's annual January event, one of the largest collector car auctions in North America. Interested buyers should contact Mecum for inspection schedules and bidder registration details.

This M1 represents a specific moment in motorsport and automotive history. The combination of Lauda's legacy, BMW's M division origins, and the M1's limited production creates a rare ownership opportunity. The car serves as documentation of the 1979 Procar Championship and the supercar ambitions of BMW's M division.