The impeccable Kith BMW M1 restoration you see here is finished in a colourway that BMW call “Techno Violet”, making it ideal as transport to Berghain, or one of Berlin’s other well-known dance establishments. We suspect superstar Prince might have adopted the custom Techno Violet BMW M1 for his purple revolution. However you style it, this latest BMW intervention by the upscale New York City clothing and lifestyle label is an eye-catching work of wonder. And we like it very much indeed.
The M1 is the work of Kith creative director Ronnie Fieg. He's a major BMW aficionado, having customised everything from a 1972 BMW 1602 to a 2021 BMW M4 Competition. Here Fieg has turned his attention to Munich’s great 1970s mid-engined supercar, tastefully reimagining this superfast classic both outside and in. But first a little history.
Just 399 road-going examples of the M1 were made, and that was just to homologate this Guigiaro-designed machine for competition. Original idea was to rival the track success of great rival Porsche in Group 5 sports car racing. A long gestation period, originally involving Lamborghini, meant that the M1 ended up competing in its own one-make series called Procar, and raced by Formula One drivers on Grand Prix weekends. Racing origins mean that the M1 is an uncompromising road supercar, the first mid-engined BMW ever and good for 165 mph for the brave on track or autobahn.
Mechanicals of this 1981 BMW M1 remain to factory standard. That means there’s a bespoke, 277 bhp, handbuilt fuel-injected straight-six designed by BMW engineering superstar Paul Rosche just behind the two available seats. Neither of those seats, by the way, is adjustable, simply because there’s so little cabin space.
Kith BMW: A look inside
But just look at that interior now. Surprisingly spartan standard seat fabrics are replaced by hand-crafted BMW Individual Black Merino Leather, with discreet Kith logo, which is also to be found to the rear of the car and to the sill plates. Steering wheel remains as it was designed to be: refreshingly free of any buttons and to be used simply for steering the M1. There’s no power assistance so you may want to build up the biceps a little.
Original BMW parts, sourced from the company’s own extensive archives were used throughout this rebuild. The result is that what you see here is not only eye-catching, but effectively a brand new BMW M1.
There are Kith accessory collections related to this impeccable restoration, but no news yet on whether the Kith BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg will be sold. All other BMWs reimagined by the label have remained in either Ronnie Fieg’s personal BMW collection. Like a BMW M1 as a supreme daily driver? Of the 399 road cars there are precious few available. Best keep around £450,000 on standby - going on recent auction prices - just in case you see the M1 that’s perfect for you. Add a Kith BMW M1 cap and you’re done.
Next up: The fastest BMW sports cars of all time.
