Designer and Inspiration:

The BMW M1 casting was designed by Larry Wood. It is based on the legendary German mid-engine sports car, the BMW M1, which was produced from 1978 to 1981 and was BMW's first and only true supercar.

Historical Context and Production Years:

The Hot Wheels casting debuted in 1983. The model 3289 was part of the "Real Riders" series from that same year.

Unique Aspects:

This casting accurately captures the low, wide, wedge-shaped design of the Giorgetto Giugiaro-penned original. The 1983 "Real Riders" version is particularly prized, featuring white enamel paint, racing tampos with the number "2", and rubber Real Riders tires on gray hubs. It has an opening rear engine cover.

Similar Castings:

This is the only casting of the BMW M1 from this era by Hot Wheels. It is often grouped with other European supercars of the time, like the Porsche 928 and Ferrari 308 castings.

Variations and Special Editions:

The mainline version released in 1983 was red. It has since been released in numerous colors, including yellow, black, and blue. It was re-tooled and brought back for the "Hot Ones" series in 2011 and has seen several premium releases since.