1980 BMW M1

Offered by RM Auctions | Fort Worth, Texas | April 27, 2013

The BMW M1 is the most awesome and supercar-y BMW ever built (I guess the 507 would count too, but its sporting intentions don’t quite match those of this car. And it was built in the pre-modern supercar era). It is the only mid-engined BMW built in quantities to this point.

In fact, it is so revered that when BMW’s M-Power in-house tuning division created their version of the 1-Series, BMW forwent their conventional naming system that would have pegged the car as the “M1” and went with the obtuse “1 Series M Coupe” instead. It’s nice to see a company value their legacy so much.

This car is one of 456 hand-built by BMW between 1978 and 1981. There were competition versions and art cars, but the road-going M1 is a thing to behold. It uses a mid-mounted 3.5-liter straight six making 273 horsepower – which doesn’t sound like a lot now, but this was 1980 when big-power engines were being choked out of existence. It could do 160 mph.

The M1 was the first serious performance car built by BMW. It retained halo status for some time and has never really been equaled (the Z8, maybe). They’ve always been valuable and sought after. This one is expected to bring between $150,000-$250,000. Click here for more info and here for more from the Don Davis Collection.

Update: Sold $242,000.

1957 Dodge D-100 Sweptside Pickup

Offered by Barrett-Jackson | Palm Beach, Florida | April 6, 2013

Okay, try and keep this straight: Dodge was producing pickup trucks since before the war. In 1948, they introduced the B-Series range of trucks. In 1954 came the C-Series. The D-Series didn’t come until 1961. But during the C-Series years, Dodge took a page from Ford’s naming conventions book and introduced the D100 as their 1/2 ton model. The C-Series was the name for the range, but the D100 was the name for the model.

So, with that, we look to the fancy, late-1950s finned pickup bed. It’s kind of cool but it also looks like they hacked the trunk of a DeSoto and glued it to the back of a pickup cab. Glad to see Chrysler was utilizing the parts bin as far back as 1957, when the limited-edition Sweptside model was introduced.

The truck was aimed at the Chevrolet Cameo – the star of the “I’m probably not gonna be hauling hogs in this truck” trim line at the time (yes, luxury, limited-edition style trucks have been around for a long time). It uses a 5.2-liter V-8 making 204 horsepower. It’s a pretty truck – which is likely the last thing a pickup driver wants to hear. Only 1,050 were built (presumably for 1957). It’s a “National First Place Winner” according to the lot description – no mention winner of what – but it’s certainly well done.

Looking at auction history, look for it to bring between $60,000-$70,000 – but trucks have been hot lately so it could be a little more. Click here to read more and here for the rest of Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach lineup.

Update: Sold $73,700.