BMW M-1/C

The BMW M-1/C was a racing prototype of 1981 with a mid-mounted engine, conceived for the IMSA GTP series in North America. BMW North America had run M1 Procars in IMSA in 1980 but they had no chance against the big prototypes, so BMW decided to build a dedicated GTP sports car, with the chassis designed by the British racing car maker March Engineering, internally known as the 81P. It was one of the most futuristic cars of its time, with the rear wheels fully covered by the body and a nose like a catamaran, and it had to be rebuilt several times, including for the tall driver David Hobbs. It began with the 3.5 litre six-cylinder engine of the Procar M1 and switched mid-season to a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo. Its best result was fourth place at Portland, and after BMW ended its US racing in 1981 the car became the basis of the March 82G.