Paul Bracq's mid-engined BMW Turbo of 1972 was the design model for the original M car, the famous BMW M1.

Re-styled by Giovanni Michelotti several years later, the design was turned over to ItalDesign and Giorgio Giugiaro. Another Italian firm, Lamborghini, was contracted to build the cars, but production problems forced BMW to use Baur of Stuttgart instead.

Low to the ground, a narrow front, retractable headlamps, wedge shape, tapered midsection and an aerodynamic rear; the BMW M1 predated automotive design for many years to come.