The BMW M1 Procar series only lasted two years, but it still feels strangely modern: identical cars, absurd driver lineups and races that counted because no one had a mechanical excuse. BMW organized it as a supporting program on European Formula 1 weekends in 1979 and 1980 – five of the fastest F1 qualifiers got into matching M1s and had a door-to-door duel with touring car aces and private drivers. But here’s the thing: Ask most enthusiasts what they remember first and you won’t get lap charts. You will get it paint. The M1 Procar silhouette is already a poster – mid-engine wedge, box extensions, huge fender – and when you wrap it in historic sponsor graphics it becomes motorsport pop art, whether you mean it or not.
So let’s get it right: the most unforgettable, demonstrably real The liveries of the M1 Procar (and closely related historic M1 racers), as well as a Nürburgring special you just reminded me of, deserve to be in the conversation.
The factory look: BMW Motorsport stripes and Marlboro from the top year 1979
BMW’s own Procar retrospective focuses on the essentials: the factory M1 in motorsport colors, the “This is what BMW M looks like” blueprint that has been repeated for decades.
And then there’s the ultra-periodic beat of Marlboro on the factory entries – one of those combinations (white/red/black on a sharp wedge) that just can’t look bad. This entry was listed with Marlboro sponsorship on a factory M1. Those were the days when advertising campaigns had no limits.
BASF: the target graphic that made a chemical company look cool
If you choose with your eyes, that is BASF Procar is a front runner. BMW Classic itself highlighted the M1 Procar in “classic BASF livery,” and it’s hard to argue with that – those concentric circles look like they were designed around the corners of the M1.
Cassani’s Two Car Master Class: UHER and County Phone Book
Manfred Cassani’s camp essentially offered two opposing design philosophies and both landed. Hans-Joachim Stuck’s car was carrying WATCH in a sober, high-contrast scheme and another entry with “Sponsors: UHER” and the colors black/white.
The sister car (Manfred Winkelhock) was in full swing: District telephone book in yellow with black accents, black – documented in the chassis history as the “yellow and black colors” of its wearer.
Denim: Blue-white, perfectly coordinated with the wedge heel
Some finishes look like they’re fighting against the mold. DENIM looks like following the crease lines with a ruler. Chassis history reveals that a former Jim Beam-backed car later served in the team’s “pretty blue and white denim livery” in 1980.
Jim Beam: The “alcohol race” template done right
The Jim Beam car is Procar peak energy – clean white base, bold color blocks and sponsorship placement that doesn’t crowd the body. This 1979 Procar M1 was decorated with “Sponsors: JIM BEAM/WINNEBAGO” and a white/red/green color layout. And a separate chassis log confirms that the same car appeared in 1979 with support from Jim Beam (and other sponsors at the time).
Gösser Beer: Austria’s rolling flag
You asked about the green one – and yes, it’s a real, properly documented Procar look. This BMW M1 Procar driven by Dieter Queste raced with the Bigger beer Sponsors in the colors green/red/white. (If you’ve ever wanted a paint job that looks like it has a passport stamp on it, this is it.)
Buler: the Swiss watch flex
Buler belongs on this list because it’s exactly what an everyone-is-equal one-make series needs: a clear, identifiable buccaneering scheme that looks expensive without being loud. The BMW Switzerland entry had the colors white/red.
Abel Lepitre: Monaco, champagne and the right red/white
Walter Bruns Abel Lepitre Sponsorship is one of those combinations that you can’t seem to separate from the era. The archives link Brun’s M1 entries to Abel Lepitre’s sponsorship and the white/red colors.
The Nürburgring card car: Stuck/Piquet and “Yes to the Nürburgring”
If your favorite M1 paint job looks like someone drew the Nordschleife on the body, then you’re not imagining it. BMW Motorsport entered a Procar-bodied M1 as car No. 201 for the 1980 ADAC 1000 km Nürburgring, and it entered “Yes to the Nürburgring” Design whose graphics reflect the race track itself. With Hans-Joachim Stuck and Nelson Piquet sharing the controls, the M1 finished third overall and was best in class – an M1 that literally wore the “Ring” on its skin while fighting at the “Ring”.
French flair, Le Mans attitude
BMW France “Carte de France” (often associated with Antar). This is the livery for people who love details. The “Carte de France” M1 is, quite literally, a card design linked to BMW France’s Le Mans efforts – an idea so French it’s hard to replicate anywhere else. Period references also link the concept to Antar’s sponsorship in the orbit of BMW France.
VSD
If you want an M1 with the right endurance racing identity (and some very French team energy), the VSD/Zol’Auto car with this wonderfully specific driver trio is a must.
ALPINA and the “How could this come about?” Category.
There are many modern ALPINA green and gold tones that look great, but the black and white M1 competition look with ALPINA logo is a different flavor – more graphic, aggressive and surprisingly natural on the M1’s sharp surfaces.
Warhol: not Procar, but the M1 livery that goes beyond motorsport
The Andy Warhol BMW M1 Art Car isn’t an entry into the Procar series – but it’s still a full-fledged M1 silhouette that has turned the car into a traveling museum piece. Le Mans organizers call it an “absolute icon” and point out that it finished sixth overall in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans.
And yes, there is more (because Procar is a rabbit hole). Once you start scrolling the period entries, you realize that the grid was essentially an ongoing sponsorship catalog. RacingSportsCars’ Procar offerings showcase additional flavors such as AIR PRESS, MEMPHIS/SCHNITZER, ARVOR/TOTAL and others.
It’s your turn
Okay: Choose one. No ties, no “Depends on the perspective”, no “Today I feel like…” Are you Team BASF Target, UHER Cassani, Kreistelefonbuch Yellow, DENIM Blue/White, Jim Beam, Gösser Green/Red/White, Buler Swiss Clean, Abel Lepitre Monaco, the “Yes to the Nürburgring” card car, or are you going cultural with Warhol?
