The BMW M1 Procar sequence solely lasted two years, but it nonetheless feels weirdly fashionable: an identical automobiles, absurd driver lineup, and racing that mattered as a result of no one had a mechanical excuse. BMW ran it as a assist present at European Method 1 weekends in 1979 and 1980—5 of the quickest F1 qualifiers dropped into matching M1s and went door-to-door with touring automobile aces and privateers. However right here’s the factor: ask most fans what they keep in mind first, and also you gained’t get lap charts. You’ll get paint. The M1 Procar silhouette is already a poster—mid-engine wedge, field flares, large wing—so whenever you wrap it in interval sponsor graphics, it turns into motorsport pop artwork whether or not you meant it to or not.
So let’s do that correctly: probably the most memorable, verifiably actual M1 Procar (and intently associated interval M1 race) liveries—plus one Nürburgring particular you simply jogged my memory deserves to be within the dialog.
The works look: BMW Motorsport stripes, plus peak-‘79 Marlboro
BMW’s personal Procar retrospective leans into the fundamentals: the manufacturing facility M1s in Motorsport colours, the “that is what BMW M appears like” blueprint that’s echoed for many years.
After which there’s the ultra-period punch of Marlboro on the works entries—a type of mixtures (white/pink/black on a pointy wedge) that merely can’t look dangerous. This entry was listed with Marlboro sponsorship on a works M1. These have been the times when promoting campaigns had no limits.
BASF: the goal graphic that made a chemical firm look cool
When you’re selecting together with your eyes, the BASF Procar is a front-runner. BMW Basic itself has highlighted the M1 Procar in “basic BASF livery,” and it’s onerous to argue—these concentric circles appear to be they have been designed across the M1’s angles.
Cassani’s two-car masterclass: UHER and Kreistelefonbuch
Manfred Cassani’s camp principally supplied two reverse design philosophies and each landed. Hans-Joachim Caught’s automobile wore UHER in a stark, high-contrast scheme, and one other entry with “Sponsors: UHER” and black/white colours.
The sister automobile (Manfred Winkelhock) went full highlighter: Kreistelefonbuch in yellow with black accents black—documented in chassis historical past because the “yellow and black colours” of its backer.
Denim: blue-and-white, completely tailor-made to the wedge
Some liveries appear to be they’re preventing the form. DENIM appears prefer it’s following the crease strains with a ruler. Chassis historical past notes {that a} former Jim Beam-backed automobile later served within the crew’s “good-looking blue and white Denim livery” for 1980.
Jim Beam: the “booze racing” template carried out proper
The Jim Beam automobile is peak Procar power—clear white base, daring coloration blocks, and sponsor placement that doesn’t litter the physique. This 1979 Procar M1 was adorned with “Sponsors: JIM BEAM/WINNEBAGO” and the white/pink/inexperienced coloration structure. And a separate chassis file confirms the identical automobile appeared in 1979 with Jim Beam backing (plus different interval sponsors).
Gösser Beer: Austria’s rolling flag
You requested for the inexperienced one—and sure, it’s an actual, correctly documented Procar look. Pushed by Dieter Queste, this BMW M1 Procar raced with the Gösser Beer sponsors in inexperienced/pink/white colours. (When you’ve ever wished a livery that appears prefer it got here with a passport stamp, that is it.)
Buler: the Swiss watch flex
Buler belongs on this checklist as a result of it’s precisely what a one-make “everybody’s equal” sequence wants: a crisp, identifiable privateer scheme that appears costly with out being loud. The BMW Schweiz entry had white/pink colours.
Abel Lepitre: Monaco, champagne, and the correct of pink/white
Walter Brun’s Abel Lepitre sponsorship is a type of mixtures that feels unimaginable to separate from the period. The archives tie Brun’s M1 entries to Abel Lepitre sponsorship and the white/pink colours.
The Nürburgring map automobile: Caught/Piquet and “Ja zum Nürburgring”
In case your favourite M1 livery is the one that appears like somebody traced the Nordschleife throughout the bodywork, you’re not imagining it. BMW Motorsport entered a Procar-bodied M1 as automobile #201 for the 1980 ADAC 1000km Nürburgring, and it wore a “Ja zum Nürburgring” design whose graphics echo the circuit itself. With Hans-Joachim Caught and Nelson Piquet sharing the drive, the M1 completed third total and topped its class—an M1 that actually carried the ‘Ring on its pores and skin whereas it fought on the ‘Ring
French aptitude, Le Mans perspective
BMW France “Carte de France” (typically linked with Antar). That is the livery for individuals who love particulars. The “Carte de France” M1 is actually a map-themed design tied to BMW France’s Le Mans efforts—an thought so French it virtually can’t be replicated elsewhere. Interval references additionally join the idea to Antar sponsorship within the BMW France orbit.
VSD
In order for you an M1 carrying correct endurance-racing id (and a few very French crew power), the VSD/Zol’Auto automobile is a must-mention, full with that splendidly particular driver trio.
ALPINA and the “how did this exist?” class.
There are many fashionable ALPINA greens and golds that look nice, however the black/white ALPINA-branded M1 competitors look is a distinct taste—extra graphic, extra aggressive, and surprisingly pure on the M1’s sharp surfaces.
Warhol: not Procar, however the M1 livery that transcends motorsport
The Andy Warhol BMW M1 Artwork Automotive isn’t a Procar-series entry—but it surely’s nonetheless a full-race M1 silhouette, and it’s the one which turned the automobile right into a touring museum piece. Le Mans’ organizers name it an “absolute icon” and observe it completed sixth total on the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans.
And sure, there are extra (as a result of Procar is a livery rabbit gap). When you begin scrolling interval entries, you notice the grid was principally a rolling sponsor catalog. RacingSportsCars’ Procar listings present extra flavors like AIR PRESS, MEMPHIS/SCHNITZER, ARVOR/TOTAL, and others.
Your flip
Alright: choose one. No ties, no “is dependent upon the angle,” no “right this moment I really feel like…” Are you crew BASF goal, UHER Cassani, Kreistelefonbuch yellow, DENIM blue/white, Jim Beam, Gösser inexperienced/pink/white, Buler Swiss clear, Abel Lepitre Monaco, the “Ja zum Nürburgring” map automobile, or are you going full tradition with Warhol?
