When the boxes that housed my meager possessions finally arrived from Ontario last week I was thrilled. Christmas day had arrived and it was time to open presents. In one box I found a Corgi die cast car that my mom had given me many years ago. I was really happy to find it because I thought it might have been misplaced during the move. The car is a BMW M1.
The M1 coupe was hand-built between 1978 and 1981 under the Motorsport (M) division of BMW as a special system intended for racing. Originally, BMW commissioned Lamborghini to work out the details of the car's chassis, assemble prototypes and manufacture the vehicles, but Lamborghini's financial position meant that BMW reassumed control over the project in April 1978, after seven prototypes were built. Only 456 production M1s were built, making it one of BMW's rarest models. The spirit of the M1 lived on in the first-generation M5, as both models shared the same (though slightly modified) engines.
Though the car never saw a great deal of racing success, the M1 is remembered as a refined and civilized super car in the true BMW tradition, built with great handling and trademark excellent build quality.
My Corgi model has significant value to me because it represents my mom’s attempt to give me something special for Christmas during the days when we didn’t have much money. We had only been in the U.S. for a little bit and were living in trailer park in the middle of grapevines that characterize Central California. I saw first hand the life of migrant workers and some of my friends came from these nomadic families.
At that time my fascination with radio controlled (R.C.) cars was born. I wanted a model that had the full function of forward/backward and left/right. I remember getting the J.C. Penney annual catalog and spending hours looking over the many models that were offered in the toy section. Somehow I knew that my parents could not afford such an extravagance but it didn’t stop me from dreaming and talking about my dream. My mom took in every word.
I don’t think she knew that I understood that I probably wouldn’t get anything for Christmas. But what I didn’t understand was that my mom wanted to do her best to make sure Christmas felt special. So to my surprise, she handed me a small box on Christmas morning and I found the red M1 inside. I was touched. Even as a young child I felt the significance of the effort behind the gift.
Years later I would get my R.C. car and even further down the road my parents would assist me in owning 2 real cars. But those vehicles are long gone and yet the M1 is still with me (except for the Nissan which my Dad drives now). It survived our migration to Canada, my years in university, and sat on my desk in Toronto during the last 5 years.
Though the car never saw a great deal of racing success, the M1 is remembered as a refined and civilized super car in the true BMW tradition, built with great handling and trademark excellent build quality.
My Corgi model has significant value to me because it represents my mom’s attempt to give me something special for Christmas during the days when we didn’t have much money. We had only been in the U.S. for a little bit and were living in trailer park in the middle of grapevines that characterize Central California. I saw first hand the life of migrant workers and some of my friends came from these nomadic families.
At that time my fascination with radio controlled (R.C.) cars was born. I wanted a model that had the full function of forward/backward and left/right. I remember getting the J.C. Penney annual catalog and spending hours looking over the many models that were offered in the toy section. Somehow I knew that my parents could not afford such an extravagance but it didn’t stop me from dreaming and talking about my dream. My mom took in every word.I don’t think she knew that I understood that I probably wouldn’t get anything for Christmas. But what I didn’t understand was that my mom wanted to do her best to make sure Christmas felt special. So to my surprise, she handed me a small box on Christmas morning and I found the red M1 inside. I was touched. Even as a young child I felt the significance of the effort behind the gift.
Years later I would get my R.C. car and even further down the road my parents would assist me in owning 2 real cars. But those vehicles are long gone and yet the M1 is still with me (except for the Nissan which my Dad drives now). It survived our migration to Canada, my years in university, and sat on my desk in Toronto during the last 5 years.
As a designer and artist I have an acute sensitivity to symbols and icons. The M1 represents my connection to my family. When I find myself in unfamiliar territory I find it comforting to have it around. It reminds me that hard times will pass and that there is a foundation in my life that I can lean on. As I contemplate the possibility of having children in my future, it shows me that it is the effort that you put into raising a child that truly matters. You don’t have to be perfect as a parent, but if you do your best, your kids will remember.
I still remember.
p.s. Early this year BMW designed a concept car to pay tribute to the M1 legacy. Here it is:.jpg)
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