Rivalry has always been an effective catalyst for producing some of the world’s most well-designed sports cars. Companies always have pushed their designs to the limit to beat out their competitors in efforts to win the affection of consumers on the street and championships on the track. The BMW M1, the Bavarian Motor Company’s first mid-engined sports car, was just that.

This BMW M1 began its life with a single Bay Area family and remained in their possession since new. Importing the car from Germany from new was John Davila. During his life, John owned a total of three M1s and was very much in love with the style and design of the M1. Of the three cars, two came to him in orange and the other in blue. This example he drove for a few years when he first acquired the car before deciding to do a comprehensive and very detailed color change to white.

Among all of the cars that John owned and drove over the years, this M1 was the car that he kept. In the early 1990s John passed away, leaving his prized M1 to his two sons who inherited his passion and love for automobiles. Wanting to keep one of the fondest lasting memories of their late father, the family stored the car in the San Francisco Bay Area where it would remain until early 2010.

In 2017 the car was given a comprehensive service by Canepa that included service, mechanical repair, and preservation restoration including work on the wiring harness, alternator, fuel system, suspension bushings, and brakes. The M1 was also given a sympathetic preservation of the interior, using new original carpet and Überkaro black checkered cloth inserts in the seats while preserving all of the original black leather.

In 2019 it returned to Canepa to complete all of its mechanical servicing and refurbishment, restoring all of the mechanical systems as needed. The car was treated to a full “Canepa Difference” experience, with all systems on the car inspected to be working in correct order. Items that were addressed included: restoring the entire exhaust system, wheels refinished, new tires, a comprehensive engine tune up, engine reseal, new coolant hoses, new injection pump belt, exhaust gaskets, engine lid struts, air conditioning service, plug wire set, and all fluids changed.

Now this stunning 1980 BMW M1 is ready for its next caretaker to enjoy driving or keeping it in a collection. Maintained and preserved to the highest standards – a rare example of BMW’s most iconic sportscar. An investment of over $125,000 was put into this white M1 to bring this car up to a concours “preservation-quality” level.