Set of offers have surrounded division BMW Motorsport in 1976 on development of racing car GT for a fate in Group 4 and Group 5. After some time has been created BMW M1 with a factory code of body E26. Manufacture proceeded with 1976 and has been finished in 1980. To qualify E26 M1 for participation in races it was necessary to let out under regulations not less than 400 identical cars in a current of 2 years.

Body E26 М1 is developed by the Italian designer Giugiaro and should gather at factory Lamborghini, but because of weak financing and delays at assemblage, manufacture has moved to shops Baur.

After a while the regulations in Group 5 have been changed, having left BMW E26 (M1) behind a board. By then enough cars have been sold these are series to organise new racing group under the concrete model called PROCAR.

E26 (M1) Manufacture notes:

The first E26 (M1) car, has left assembly shop on 10th of July, 1978.

Last E26, has left assembly shop on 13th of February, 1981.

All VIN codes have the same prefix from 14 figures (WBS59910004301XXX) last three figures meaning a serial number from 001 to 460, except for seven numbers never used (from 045 to 049, 428, 431) and two racing copies of Group 5 mounted without VIN are various only.

E26 (M1) Industrial figures:

* 1979 - 79 cars (41 road versions, 38 sport versions)
* 1980 - 188 cars (178 road versions, 10 sport versions)
* 1981 - 188 cars (180 road versions, 8 sport versions)

Total: 455 cars (399 road versions, 56 sport versions)