BMW M1 ( E26 ) #80 Procar Series 1980(diecast 1:18, Werk83)
- BMW M1 ( E26 ) #80 Procar Series 1980 (from 1980)
- Werk83
- 1:18
- Showcase model / No engine
- diecast
- racing / multicolored
- Perfect mint condition
- Original packaging exists
- Not for sale
BMW M1 Procar 1980: the prototype, generation, and origins
The miniature shown here is based on the BMW M1 (E26) from BMW’s racing and brand history. The BMW M1 (E26) belongs to the E26 generation, which was built from 1978 to 1981. There was no direct predecessor in the sense of an earlier BMW super sports car; within BMW’s lineup, the BMW M1 (E26) held a special place. It was developed at a time when BMW wanted to homologate a high-performance model for both road use and motorsport. The design is usually credited to Giorgetto Giugiaro, who drew the body at Italdesign. On the technical side, several partners were involved as well; the chassis and racing development were closely tied to BMW Motorsport under Jochen Neerpasch. The mid-engine sports car used a 3,453 cm³ inline-six with racing-style DOHC cylinder head, and the production and race versions used mechanical Kugelfischer injection or Bosch injection depending on the variant. In the road car, the engine made around 277 hp, while the Procar version produced much more, depending on the setup, roughly around 470 hp. The five-speed transmission came from ZF, the body structure used a tubular space frame, and the plastic body panels helped keep weight down. For collectors, the cool part is that this car was at the same time a road car, a homologation model, and a racing base.
BMW M1 Procar motorsport: series, drivers, and results
In motorsport, the BMW M1 (E26) became especially famous thanks to the BMW M1 Procar Championship, held in 1979 and 1980. The concept was unusual: before selected Formula 1 weekends, identical Procar cars raced each other, often driven by current Grand Prix drivers and chosen touring car or sports car racers. That gave the BMW M1 (E26) its own spotlight and a lot of attention. Well-known drivers who raced the M1 included Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Alan Jones, Jacques Laffite, Didier Pironi, and Hans-Joachim Stuck. Jan Lammers and Manfred Winkelhock are also linked with the model in racing. The Procar series showed just how well the concept worked: mid-engine layout, wide track, low weight, and strong power made it a very direct and fun racing car.
Racing success of the BMW M1 and how car No. 82 fits in
Beyond the Procar series, the BMW M1 (E26) also competed in endurance races and various national championships. Even though its international career was limited by regulations and the short production run, the model still scored several class wins and respectable finishes. At Le Mans, different M1 derivatives were entered, including Group 4 and Group 5 versions. That made the BMW M1 (E26) an important stepping stone in BMW Motorsport’s development before the later expansion of the M models. The version reproduced here points, through its starting number and lettering, to a Procar entry connected with Johnny Cecotto, whose name is visible on the door. For collectors, that matters because driver assignment, sponsor layout, and Procar specification create noticeable differences between M1 models. That mix of a shared base and individual racing livery is exactly why the BMW M1 (E26) is still such a popular subject in the 1/18 racing model world.
Werk83 model car in 1/18: details, diecast build, and visible features
The photos from the Modelly member “modelmax” show a model car in the 1/18 scale, made by Werk83. According to the task description, this version is a diecast-based model, so it has a metal-cast body. The model car in 1/18 scale by Werk83 shows the typical Procar bodywork with widened fenders, a low front spoiler, side air intakes, and a big rear wing. On the base, you can read the label “BMW M1 PROCAR.” Visible details include gold-look BBS wheels with Goodyear lettering on the tires, black window trim, black side mirrors, and a clearly modeled interior with a racing seat and roll structure. The front view shows the flat wedge-shaped line of the M1 with closed pop-up headlights, the BMW kidney grille, and large openings in the front section. From above, you can spot the louvres over the rear engine area and the wide rear wheel arches. For collectors, the cleanly reproduced number panels, the driver marking “J. CECOTTO,” and the proportions of the E26 are especially nice touches that look spot-on in the photos.
Paint scheme and decals of the BMW M1 Procar model from modelmax’s collection
The paint scheme of this miniature is clearly built around the Procar racing look. The base color is white, combined with red areas on the front spoiler, side skirts, rear fender sections, and the rear wing supports. Along the side, a large red field dominates, with the BASF logo and start number 82 in black on a white background. Other visible sponsors and labels include BMW Italia on the windshield banner, Goodyear on the tires, BBS on the wheels, Bilstein in the rear section, and Conte of Florence repeated on the hood, doors, and rear side panels. The graphic motif with the black “C” symbols and stylized lilies is spread across the hood, roof, rear fenders, and rear wing, giving the design a very recognizable look. The shape of the BMW M1 (E26) really comes through with this color layout: the long low front, the angular cabin, and the wide rear all look clear and technical on the model. From the photos, you can also see that the miniature is displayed as a collector’s item in a display case, which makes the markings, contours, and overall no-nonsense Procar vibe easy to appreciate.
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