BMW M1 AHG Studie once owned by Paul Walker offered by Sotheby’s

Believed to be one of no more than 10 BMW M1 road cars modified by AHG

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198 BMW M1 AHG Studie

An extremely rare BMW M1 AHG Studie once owned by Paul Walker is available to buy at RM Sotheby’s Miami auction on December 10, 2022. It is believed to be one of no more than 10 BMW M1 road cars modified when new by German BMW dealership AHG, and this example has accrued 6,281 kilometers (3,902 miles).

1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie
1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie

The M1 was a hand-built homologation special to compete in FIA Group 5 racing but, during development, rule changes required 400 examples be produced to meet Group 4 rules before the car could be homologated for Group 5. Unable to meet homologation requirements, BMW opted to create a one-make racing series and the Procar BMW M1 Championship was born. It lasted two seasons, 1979-1980, and was run as a Formula 1 support series, a popular racing series that led to greater interest in the M1. Approximately 450 street and competition M1s were produced from 1978 through 1981, meeting homologation requirements, though the M1 ran in other championships including 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The BMW M1 AHG Studie cars were upgraded with an adjustable racing suspension and rode on staggered 16-inch three-piece BBS wheels, eight inches up front and nine inches out back. BMW’s newly developed M88 3,453cc inline-six engine also saw its horsepower bumped up to 350 from the street version’s 277. The ZF five-speed manual transmission received an upgraded racing clutch too. Each vehicle received unique livery based on the customer’s direction.

1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie
1980 BMW M1 AHG Studie

“The M1 AHG Studie offered here is believed to be an original AHG M1 Studie, as indicated by markings throughout the body, including the “altmiks lackdesign” signature painted just below the driver-side taillight,” the listing states. “According to BMW Classic, chassis 4301090 was built in 1979 and delivered on August 30 of that year to BMW dealer Schneider in Bielefeld, Germany. The original color was White (206). Not much is known about its early history other than that an owner saw fit to invest a considerable sum in modifying it with the AHG Studie package, replete with BMW Motorsport’s iconic tricolor livery.

“The car would ultimately find its way into the famous Ed Weaver Collection in Dalton, Georgia, where it resided until 1995. In 2011, it was purchased by renowned collector Don Davis. Soon thereafter, it was acquired by the AE Collection of Paul Walker and Roger Rodas in California, known for its rare Japanese and European sports cars.”

Sotheby’s estimates that this M1 AHG Studie will fetch between $450,000 – $550,000 at its auction on December 10 in Miami.

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