The BMW E26 M1 Procar was a sports car built by the German automaker BMW between 1978 and 1981. It was designed specifically for the Procar Championship, a one-make racing series that supported Formula One events in Europe.
The E26 M1 Procar was based on the BMW M1 road car but was extensively modified for racing. It had a mid-mounted 3.5-liter straight-six engine that produced around 470 horsepower, which was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The car had a top speed of over 190 mph (306 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds.
The Procar Championship was a popular racing series in the late 1970s and early 1980s, attracting top drivers such as Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Keke Rosberg. The races were held on short tracks that could be set up in the car parks of Formula One circuits, making for a unique and exciting spectacle.
The E26 M1 Procar was successful in the Procar Championship, winning several races and championships. It also had a significant impact on the development of BMW’s M division, which went on to produce some of the company’s most iconic sports cars.
Today, the BMW E26 M1 Procar is considered a classic sports car and is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Its combination of performance, rarity, and motorsport heritage make it a true icon of automotive history.