Warhol’s bold brushstrokes and vibrant pop-art style transformed the 1979 BMW M1 factory race car into a moving masterpiece. It is part of BMW’s renowned Art Car collection and was recently enshrined into the National Historic Vehicle Register, cementing its status as a cultural and historical icon.
The vehicle was set to be the centerpiece at the Hagerty Drivers Foundation’s “Cars at the Capital” event on the National Mall, scheduled from September 17 to 23, 2025. This annual exhibition brings rare and historically significant vehicles to the public, celebrating America’s automotive legacy. The Warhol M1 had just been showcased at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance alongside BMW’s latest art car, Julie Mehretu’s M Hybrid V8, highlighting decades of artistic innovation on wheels.
As the automotive and art communities mourn, attention now turns to remembering the driver’s life and improving safety protocols during the transportation of such irreplaceable works.