Picture courtesy of Coys
As covered in TLE (The London Economic), Coys of Kensington auctioneers stumbled upon the M1 model, built in 1979, which was sold and customised two years later by renowned Austrian racing driver Harald Ertl to smash a land speed record and made this car at one time the fastest car in the world.
He was able to reach a record of 187mph with the car by using twin turbochargers, measuring around 410bhp.
The iconic motor was last on the market 25 years ago—which led enthusiasts to assume it had been lost, until it resurfaced in Wanted, east London.
A widow decided that it was time to sell her late husband’s car, which had been collecting dust under a sheet in her shed.
She called car specialist Charlie Howarth of Coys of Kensington auctioneers, who was ‘completely stunned’ to discover the car underneath the dust sheet.
Now, a car auction in Essen, Germany, is set to feature the prototype on April 13—and it could fetch up to £250,000.
When I received the call, I expected to find something mundane, but what I discovered was something special.
The car was found behind a driveway in Wansted, we’ve left it in original condition – it adds to its mystique.
Coys of Kensington said the M1 was designed to compete with the supercar market in the 80s, but with ‘BMW-style reliability’.
This model was ‘a one of a kind’, developed with BP, which was looking to promote a new Autogas product and still has a six-cylinder, 24 valve engine and fuel injection—and the supercar can achieve top speed if cleaned up.
Valuers and auctioneers at Coys are now seeking an owner for Harald Ertl’s custom design.
