In May of 1972, Bayerische Motoren Werke, more commonly known as BMW, gave birth to a very special division that would not only shape the company's future products, both on the road and on the track, but also inspire its main rivals to follow its example. That subdivision was BMW Motorsport GmbH.

Bayerische Motoren Werke, or more commonly known as BMW gave birth to its special division M in May 1972. That division would shape the company's future products and inspire its main rivals to follow its example. The subdivision was known as BMW Motorsport GmbH. At a presentation of the brand in 1972, BMW AG Board Member Robert A. Lutz said:

"A company is like a human being. As long as it goes in for sports, it is fit, well-trained, full of enthusiasm and performance. With sports always being a driving force at BMW, also while the Company was developing dynamically in the business world, it was only obvious at this point that we should concentrate and consolidate our activities in motor sport.”

After forty years, the M division which is officially called BMW M GmbH has left its incredible mark on a lot of sports cars spawning all types and shapes.

BMW has dropped a selection of photos, which you can check out in detail in the gallery: