One to Buy: un-raced ex-works 1979 BMW M1 Procar
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In addition to the examples sold to customers, BMW Motorsport retained a good stock of M1 Procars for its own requirements. Of these, some were destined for works use in the Procar series while a few appeared as official entries in in other big invitational events.
An even smaller number were destined to serve as back-up chassis at race weekends, either as complete spare cars, show cars or as a source of parts for the support crews. Some never saw any competitive action before being sold off years later.
Heading to auction at Bingo Sports’ BH Auction in Tokyo on January 9th / 10th is an intriguing M1 Procar said to be in “brand new” and “never raced” condition. Described as a “race support vehicle never used in competition”, it bears the out of sequence chassis number MAG 0 1979 which may point to some kind of pre-series prototype status or partial assembly before the final numbering system came into effect.
Another possibility is the car was re-numbered by BMW Motorsport for internal or carnet reasons.
Whatever the story may be, MAG 0 1979 appears to be exactly what it claims: an effectively new and unraced M1 Procar completed in the famous works BMW Motorsport livery.
It is accompanied by official DMSB and FIA documentation having recently undergone an engine start procedure.
