Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Munich Auction event, 20 November 2026.
Offered Without Reserve | €400, 000 - €500, 000 EUR
A rare build of an already famously rare model; thought to be one of just 10 M1 road cars custom-made in period by German dealer and motorsport team AHG
The poster car for AHG’s campaign to promote its version of the M1
Thought to have been made for, and retained by, AHG president and owner Peter Gartemann
Fitted with a bespoke AHG body kit and finished in special blue livery; features AHG markings throughout including “altmiks lackdesign” signature under taillight
Engine reportedly uprated to 350 horsepower; adjustable, race-specification suspension installed
In 1982, after the Procar Championship had ended and production for the M1 ceased, Peter Gartemann, president and owner of German BMW dealer AHG, elected to create a limited-edition design study inspired by the look of the mighty M1 Procars. This custom-made package, called AHG Studie, transformed a standard road-going M1 into the ultimate Procar-style street machine. From the outside the changes were clear, with aggressive Procar-inspired front and rear spoilers, side skirts, and flared wheel arches. But modifications went well beyond the imposing bodywork.
The M1 AHG Studie cars received adjustable racing suspension and 16-inch three-piece BBS wheels—eight inches wide up front and nine inches at the rear. The engine was uprated to 350 horsepower and mated to a special racing clutch and a new exhaust system. Still very much intended for the street, the interior was upgraded with leather seat inserts in place of the stock cloth items and additional speakers were added to enhance the stereo system. Further increasing exclusivity, AHG commissioned the renowned German paint shop of Hermann Altmiks to finish each M1 in a bespoke livery as directed by the customer. The cost was relatively high as the modifications were certified by TÜV, the German technical inspection association, requiring extensive testing and approvals. It is believed that no more than 10 examples with the AHG Studie package were created; each one unique.
With its distinctive blue colour scheme, featuring visual AHG hallmarks around the body including the “altmiks lackdesign” signature under the left taillight, the example offered here is understood to have been made for, and was retained by, company boss Herr Gartemann. The car bears a 17-digit VIN stamp ending 01461—thus falling outside of the BMW M1 chassis numbering sequence that ended with a car made in February 1981 holding the BMW chassis number 01460, with production attributed to AHG rather than BMW. A statement within a previous, period Fahrzeugbrief (available to view on file) roughly translates as: ‘Vehicle was made with original spare parts and bare body shell to the same optical and technical standard as the BMW M1… vehicle is equipped with AHG body kit… vehicle lowered with parts from BMW Motorsport… identification number is newly stamped, existing number WBSthe details below.’
While most of the cars were modified by AHG in the early 1980s, this M1 was duly registered in Germany in September 1987 with the chassis number TP8220526, as stamped on its chassis frame. The M1 was later positioned front and centre as the poster star of AHG’s campaign to promote its car, featuring on a leaflet available to view on file.
Arguably as significant as the most important of the 399 road cars made by BMW, this Procar-inspired M1 AHG Studie forms an important part of BMW history and its seldom-seen availability at auction will alert marque enthusiasts far and wide.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys. com/ auctions/ mu26/.
