11.01.2024BMW M1, Monaco, Fittipaldi: Meet the big names

The car owes its legendary status today not only to its unmistakable look and the unique six-cylinder sound. The M1 was also the main actor in a revolutionary one-make series that would no longer be possible today. We're talking about the Procar series, which was held as part of the Formula 1 supporting program. Active stars from the premier class duel with established sports car drivers on uniform M1s. Emerson Fittipaldi is also part of the long, illustrious list of drivers in the Procar series. The BMW M1, with which the 1972 world champion started, has now been released as a model in scale 1:18 by the ck-modelcars label WERK83.

With its unique concept, the BMW M1 Procar series is still fondly remembered today. And this despite the fact that it could possibly be described as an emergency solution. The M1 was never conceived as a one-make trophy vehicle. Instead, BMW wanted to compete with other manufacturers in international sports car racing. For this reason, the M1 was designed from the ground up as a racing car, from which a road variant was derived, which in turn was necessary for the homologation of the racing car. However, due to hurdles in the production process, the series cars were completed much more slowly than planned and, as a result, the homologation of the racing car was delayed.

BMW decided to make a virtue of necessity and initially bring the M1 to the racetrack in a one-make series - but with a very special twist. Jochen Neerpasch's motorsport department teamed up with Formula 1 managers Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley to not only place the Procar series on the local race weekends, but also to involve the players in the premier class. The fastest drivers from Formula 1 training were supposed to compete against sports car professionals. The initial skepticism quickly disappeared and the starting positions in the Procar series were also highly sought after by the Formula 1 greats. Especially since the overall winner received a production M1 as an exclusive souvenir at the end of the season.

In 1979, in the premiere year of the BMW M1 Procar series, Emerson Fittipaldi was also part of the starting field. The Brazilian won the Formula 1 World Championship with Lotus in 1972. In 1979 his Formula 1 career was already coming to an end. He had been driving for his brother Wilson Fittipaldi's team for four years without any resounding success. But despite his inferior starting position, Emerson Fittipaldi secured a starting place in the Procar race at the prestigious Grand Prix in Monaco and finished third behind Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni.

The true-to-original model from WERK83 impressively shows the special features of Fittipaldi's M1. In addition to the striking design in the BMW colors white, red and blue and the characteristic rims, the large Fittipaldi lettering on the front hood immediately catches the eye. Also notable is the Copersucar banner on the front window. The Brazilian company was a sponsor and at times also gave its name to the Fittipaldi Formula 1 team. The model is delivered including decals. The front wheels are steerable. The doors can also be opened, making the original interior fittings particularly easy to see.

BMW M1 ProCar #14 BMW M1 ProCar series 1979 Emerson Fittipaldi 1:18 WERK83, RRP €69.95, item-no.: W1803015

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BMW M1 ProCar #14 BMW M1 ProCar 系列 1979 Emerson Fittipaldi 1:18 WERK83

62,96 €