Auctions of beautiful or historically significant cars get our attention, especially when the cars are BMWs, and even more especially when those BMWs are both beautiful and historically significant. One such auction is happening April 1–3, 2016. It is the annual Auctions America event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Of the great cars being offered is the BMW that we most love to see at auction, if only to daydream that someday we could afford one: the BMW M1.
This particular BMW M1 is a well-traveled but well cared for 1981 model that is owned—at least until April 3rd—by Emilio Garcia Lourdes, who was a personal friend of former BMW of North America CEO Vic Doolan. The car was purchased new in Germany, and shipped to South Africa by Lourdes, who owned a publishing company. Apparently, he took the car with him on some of his trips, including to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, and eventually in 2012, the United States. With all that traveling, not much was by road, since the car now has only 8,377 miles on the clock and is being offered by its one and only owner.
The M1 was the very first BMW badged as an M car. This M1’s serial number shows it to be number 432 out of 450 built. That total includes race cars, since only 399 M1s were built for the street. Lourdes’ car is bone stock, un-federalized, and comes with all its original equipment, including the original owner’s manual, tool roll, spare tire with jack, first aid kit, M1 luggage, European plates, and a high-quality large-format M1 sales brochure.
In addition to the M1, which is expected to bring between $500,000 and $600,000, Auctions America Fort Lauderdale will also present a 1991 BMW 850i Coupe, a 2001 BMW Z8 Convertible, and a 2014 BMW i8.
Other than BMWs, there will be 450 cars going across the block. Some of the more interesting include a 1929 Auburn 8-90 Cabriolet, a 1969 AMC AMX, a 1971 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, a 1983 Ferrari 512 BBI, a slew of E-Type Jags, a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S Roadster, a boatload of beautiful classics from the American Big Three, and Porsches galore.
“Time and again, it is not only the quality of entries, but the diversity of our Fort Lauderdale sale that draws most compliments, and this year’s event will be no different, offering something for everyone,” says Donnie Gould, President of Auctions America. “European sports cars are perennial favorites at our Fort Lauderdale venue, and for sports car fanatics, this year’s docket is filled to the brim with great examples from across the ages. From the seductive lines of the E-Type—a sports car that has truly stood the test of time and continues to be highly sought after by collectors—to the aggressive, low-slung BMW M1, another icon of its era, and the advanced BMW i8, the line-up provides a great illustration of the evolution of the sports car. To this end, our Fort Lauderdale sale is more than an auction, the event doubles as one of South Florida’s leading car shows.”
Among the other BMWs is a relatively new one but it's already a classic and will surely get Satch Carlson’s attention. It’s a 2001 BMW Z8 Roadster in black, with black top and Crema interior. Auctions America expects it to hammer down at $220,000 to $240,000.
We will be following the April auction to see how the BMWs did, especially the M1 and the Z8. Who knows, maybe someday we could afford to bid on an M1—after we win the lottery.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of Auctions America.]
