Thirty years ago, at the 1978 Paris Motor Show, BMW’s “M” Division presented its first ever creation and at the same time, the Bavarian carmaker’s first and last mid-engine supercar, the M1 (click for video). Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and developed in association with Lamborghin, the M1 was initially intended for the racetrack.

The road going edition was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter straight 6 generating 277 PS that allowed it to reach a top speed of 260 km/h or 162 mph. Apart from being one of the most beautiful BMWs of all time, the M1 is one of the most exclusive as only 451 examples (others say 455) where built between 1978 and 1981.

BMW has planned several events throughout the year to celebrate the M1’s 30th birthday, including the creation of a special stand at this year’s Concorso d'Eleganza exhibition at Lake Como where it will show off production and racing versions of its iconic supercar. -Image gallery after the jump