Matchbox BMW 1M
If you see the letter's "M" on any BMW you probably know that's the sportiest offering in the BMW model line. Since the 1980's BMW's M division has been cranking out these special versions of almost each BMW model for those who crave performance. My personal favorite M cars come from the late 1990's with legends like Z3 M, Z8, M3, M5; flashy colors with raw performance to the rear tires. But times change and so with that the latest M cars are heavy, wearing colors that go unnoticed, and the move to highly-advanced twin-clutch transmissions means the classic three-pedal, row your own manual is almost close to extinction. Despite the fear, BMW M division wants you to know that they are still building cars for performance junkies, and this 1M is proof of that.
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The 1M coupe is based on a regular 1-series coupe. The line started in 2004 as a modern-day successor to the 2002, the car that made BMW famous for "the ultimate driving machine" before the 3-series carried the torch. The car never got off on the right track with awkward styling and performance well short of the 3-series. As the new 2-series plans to fix that, the M division wanted to give the 1-Series one more shot before replacement before retirement.
1M not M1
Because the M1 name was used on the mid-engine BMW sports car in the 1980's, BMW had to label this as the 1M. First thing you'll noticed is the bright orange paint that really stands out. Then it's the exaggerated fenders and front and rear bumpers to give this little BMW more aggression. Larger front intake, large quad exhaust out back, smoothly-integrated rear spoiler round out the added exterior hype. Inside the interior stays the same except for bolstered front seats and M logos around the interior. The engine even stays the same over the stock 1-series: Twin-turbo DOHC I-6 producing 340 hp., 369 Ft-Ib. torque in a car weighing 3,296 Ib's. The only transmission is the six-speed manual, oh and it's only rear-wheel drive. The suspension is tuned more for track duty with stiffer spring and shocks. Originally planning to sell 2,700 cars in 2011, BMW actually sold 6,309 cars worldwide.
Splendid Matchbox!
Now Matchbox has not been making good progress in the sense of making nicely-done diecast cars for collectors compare to a few years ago, catering more toward the kids, this BMW 1M brings back those good memories with surprisingly sharp details all-around. The front has detailed headlights, kidney grille, and exaggerated bumper and wheel flares. The 10-sp. wheels look right at home on this car, the rear end has taillights with the LED L-running lamps, license plate, 1M badge, and the BMW logo you can barely read (meanwhile the logo is missing from the front). The interior is nicely done and accurate except the steering wheel and shifter are molded into the dashboard: a sign of the times of cost-cutting. The base shows nothing much but a large area in the center for the vehicle information.
This car is hard-to-find at the moment; I luckily found one with a slightly damaged bubble at Target last month. This car is so beautifully done collectors are snatching it up left and right. This car is so nicely done I called it the best Matchbox of 2013, and it is by far one of my favorite BMW models from the Mattel brand!
The 1M coupe is based on a regular 1-series coupe. The line started in 2004 as a modern-day successor to the 2002, the car that made BMW famous for "the ultimate driving machine" before the 3-series carried the torch. The car never got off on the right track with awkward styling and performance well short of the 3-series. As the new 2-series plans to fix that, the M division wanted to give the 1-Series one more shot before replacement before retirement.
1M not M1
Because the M1 name was used on the mid-engine BMW sports car in the 1980's, BMW had to label this as the 1M. First thing you'll noticed is the bright orange paint that really stands out. Then it's the exaggerated fenders and front and rear bumpers to give this little BMW more aggression. Larger front intake, large quad exhaust out back, smoothly-integrated rear spoiler round out the added exterior hype. Inside the interior stays the same except for bolstered front seats and M logos around the interior. The engine even stays the same over the stock 1-series: Twin-turbo DOHC I-6 producing 340 hp., 369 Ft-Ib. torque in a car weighing 3,296 Ib's. The only transmission is the six-speed manual, oh and it's only rear-wheel drive. The suspension is tuned more for track duty with stiffer spring and shocks. Originally planning to sell 2,700 cars in 2011, BMW actually sold 6,309 cars worldwide.
Splendid Matchbox!
Now Matchbox has not been making good progress in the sense of making nicely-done diecast cars for collectors compare to a few years ago, catering more toward the kids, this BMW 1M brings back those good memories with surprisingly sharp details all-around. The front has detailed headlights, kidney grille, and exaggerated bumper and wheel flares. The 10-sp. wheels look right at home on this car, the rear end has taillights with the LED L-running lamps, license plate, 1M badge, and the BMW logo you can barely read (meanwhile the logo is missing from the front). The interior is nicely done and accurate except the steering wheel and shifter are molded into the dashboard: a sign of the times of cost-cutting. The base shows nothing much but a large area in the center for the vehicle information.
This car is hard-to-find at the moment; I luckily found one with a slightly damaged bubble at Target last month. This car is so beautifully done collectors are snatching it up left and right. This car is so nicely done I called it the best Matchbox of 2013, and it is by far one of my favorite BMW models from the Mattel brand!
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