Fly BMW M1 Procar 'BASF' 1980

Take a seat, sip your coffee and peruse the new Fly M1 in close up and some history, then I will have a moan (so what's new!)

Up until now the only M1s you could get your hands on were from Scalextric and SCX, here is what they looked like, an early Scalextric version and a recent re-release from SCX in the same BASF livery as the Fly... ( Note the Scalextric and SCX versions use the same mold)

The M1 was the first car produced by BMW Motorsport. Originally released in 1978, the M1 experienced production and homologation problems that kept it from international competition until the car was no longer competitive. First shown at the Paris Motor Show, the M1 was discontinued in 1981.
The Giugiaro-designed M1 was to be assembled by Lamborghini, but Lamborghini's poor financial situation and assembly delays caused BMW to move assembly to Baur, the German convertible builders. By the time production resumed, the homologation rules for international Group 5 racing had been changed. Since BMW had not met the required sales figures, the M1 went to the new Procar series instead. By the time BMW had sold enough cars, the M1 was no longer competitive for Group 5 racing. In 1981, David Coward and Kenper Miller won the IMSA GTO category.

The M1 had the 3.5 liter straight six that powered BMW sedans.

With a 24-valve cylinder head, the engine had 277 hp at 6500 rpm and develops 239 ft/lb of torque at 5000 rpm. Several racing versions exist with power outputs of up to 850hp.
The M1 was all Italian in look and feel, but had a big BMW engine wailing from the back. As one writer puts it, "the sensation of having that twin-cam six just behind your head is hard to describe-it's like extra bass, but without the 12-inch woofers." Only a handful of road versions of the M1 exist.

There is a wonderful gallery of M1 racing pics here at BMWworld.com.

In the meantime here are a couple of tasters...

Note the different body styling although I have not been able to find out when and why. Top Banana adds: "the M1 (above) is the special GR5 spaceframe racer built by Peter Sauber in his pre-F1 days, this had completely different bodywork and was effectively a 'silhouette' style car for GR5. I believe that it may also have run a turbo 3.5l engine. The interior picture also looks like the GR5 car as you can see the spacframe tubes." He continues: "another one of these style cars ran in the German GR5 championship with Hans Stuck behind the wheel (this car was reputed to have 900bhp !)"

Ok so on to the model from Fly...

At first glance it is stunning to look at, glossy, detailed and pretty accurate with a good stance. Sitting low and wide on its super fat tyres. However, a closer look disappoints, especially when comparing to the recent Alfas and Renault Turbos on offer.

A short list of initial points I found worth stating...

• The guide is a tight fit, too tight to run without changing or work.
• The Tampo printing is sloppy, missing in places, not sharp and it still isn't protected, being printed over the laquer as usual. Please stop this practice Fly, it makes the decoration too easy to rub off.
• The rear axle has slop reminiscent of the early Fly Classics.
• The rear tyres have ridges and blobs on them so again work is required if you don't want to find hopping and bouncing (yes again, the magnet will hide this at first)

All in all not alot to complain about when the overall effect is so good but it is a shame to see these errors there when the previous few releases have been so good in the finish quality compartment.

On the up side the chassis is sturdy with alot of room for weight placement if you desire

Take a look see... and a choice of magnet shape and position is built in although I am unsure as to the point of the raised needle to the left of the front, round magnet holder, could it be a Digital mount and not a magnet one?

 

and how does it compare to the SCX re-issue? 

Fly on right	Fly on left
Fly to front

On the track, I have not tested but assume it will fun with many of its counterparts in the Fly range with its very forward guide position and stadnard Fly sidewinder setup, motor and gearing.

For myself, I will be replacing the rear tyres,axle,crown gear, wheels (using the Fly wheels for inserts) and guide for Slot.It and Ortmann as usual. Not that I am saying this is required but it is my preference and a standard for Fly cars with me.

Lets hope the myriad of future re-liveries that are bound to come will be better quality.

© Swissracer 2005.