Back in 2009, we put together a list of 13 of our favourite one-offs that had been featured in Unique Cars – or advertised for sale (not counting modified cars or ‘specials’). Topping the list was the BMW M1
BMW M1
The BMW M1 is a milestone model that never quite reached the heights of supercar compatriots Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Beneath its beautiful Giugiaro-designed fibreglass body was an Italian-made space-frame chassis with all-independent suspension and inboard ventilated disc brakes. It was so labour intensive to assemble that Baur in Stuttgart got the job.
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Designed for racing, the M1 was the first to wear the iconic ‘M’ badge, and just 400 road-going examples were built powered by a glorious twin-cam straight six delivering 206kW.
Our hopes of finding an M1 in Oz for an M Cars feature in 2004 weren’t high, but we lucked upon this lone, dark blue example in Adelaide.
It had travelled just 13,000km since new, including an outing in the 1990 Dutton Grand Prix rally.
Our top 13 ‘One-Off’ list:
2. Studebaker Commander Cabriolet
3. Porsche 959
4. Lincoln Model K Lebaron Coupe
7. Clement
8. 1938 Lancia Astura Farina Cabriolet
10. Alfa Romeo G1
11. BMW M1
12. Ferrari 750 Monza
13. Dodge Daytona