TL;DR
- The 1981 BMW M1 is a free Treasure Car in Forza Horizon 6 — no Credits needed.
- It is parked under a railway bridge in the central-northern part of the Hokubu region, near rice fields and scaffolding.
- The clue shows a railway bridge column — but the bridge runs through the entire region, so head to the central-north and follow the main SE-to-NW road past the Hokubu Circuit.
- Look for the bridge section with scaffolding around its columns — the BMW M1 is parked right beside one of them.
- Drive up and press X (or the on-screen prompt) to claim it instantly.
- It is a Class B, rear-wheel drive car with a Performance Index of 510 and an in-game Credit value of 600,000 CR.
What Are Treasure Cars in Forza Horizon 6?
Forza Horizon 6 hides nine rare vehicles across Japan’s open world in a collectible system called Treasure Cars. Every one of them is completely free. No Credits, no auction house, no progression gate. You simply find the car and press one button to claim it.
Here is how the system works. As you explore each of FH6’s nine regions, your co-driver Mei sends you a photograph once you have uncovered enough of that area. The photo shows a scene of where the car is parked. Your job is to figure out the exact location from that clue and drive there.
The challenge is that the clues are deliberately vague. The BMW M1 clue, for example, shows the car parked next to a column supporting a railway bridge — but the railway cuts across the entire Hokubu region, with multiple columns along the way. Without knowing which stretch of the bridge to check, you could spend a long time circling. This guide cuts straight to the right spot.
There are nine Treasure Cars in total, one per region. The 1981 BMW M1 is the one hiding in Hokubu — and at 600,000 CR in value, it is one of the most valuable free cars in the entire game.
Just starting out in FH6? Our beginner’s guide from Tourist to Legend is the best place to start before diving into Treasure Car hunting.
BMW M1 Treasure Car Location in Forza Horizon 6
The 1981 BMW M1 is parked underneath a railway bridge in the central-northern part of the Hokubu region, near open crop fields. The best way to navigate to it is to follow the main road that runs south-east to north-west through Hokubu — the same road that passes the Hokubu Circuit. The BMW sits southeast of that circuit, under the bridge section where scaffolding is visible around the columns.
One important detail: the railway runs through much of Hokubu, so do not start searching from the southern end. Head to the central-north of the region first, find the main SE-to-NW road, and trace it toward the bridge crossing over open fields. The scaffolding on the columns is your clearest visual marker once you are in the right area.
Step-by-Step: How to Find the BMW M1
- Drive through the Hokubu region until Mei sends you the BMW M1 clue photo.
- Head to the central-northern part of Hokubu — past the tunnels and toward the open agricultural land.
- Find the main road running south-east to north-west; it also passes the Hokubu Circuit.
- Look for the large railway bridge crossing over open crop fields in this area.
- Find the section of the bridge with scaffolding around the columns — the BMW M1 is parked right beside one of those columns.
- Get close and press X (or your on-screen prompt) to claim it.
Pro Tip: Use the Drone — But Watch the Tunnels
The drone is the fastest way to locate the M1 once you are in the central-northern Hokubu area. Scan from above along the railway line, and look for the bridge section crossing over open fields with scaffolding. One important warning: do not fly the drone into any of the railway tunnels. Doing so immediately cancels your drone session and drops you back into your car — which can be frustrating if you were close to spotting the car. Stick to open air above the fields and the bridge.
Once you fly close enough to the M1, a purple icon appears on your map. From there, ANNA can navigate you straight to it on the ground.
How to Claim the BMW M1
Drive up to the BMW M1, wait for the on-screen prompt, and press X. One button press adds this Class B mid-engine icon to your garage at zero cost. A short cutscene plays, and then it is yours to drive or store straight away.
There is no rush. The M1 will be parked under that bridge whether you find it early or hours into your time in the Hokubu region. Treasure Cars do not disappear or expire.
Once you have claimed it, spend one Skill Point on the BMW M1 immediately. You receive 10,000 XP right away — the highest single Skill Point XP bonus available for any car in the game. If you are collecting all nine Treasure Cars and spending a Skill Point on each one, that is 90,000 XP in total just from that habit alone.
1981 BMW M1 Stats in Forza Horizon 6
Here is a full look at what you are getting when you claim the M1.
- Year: 1981
- Class: B
- Performance Index: 510
- Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Engine: Mid-mounted straight-six
- In-Game Credit Value: 600,000 CR
- Category: Classic Exotic
A 600,000 CR car for free is an exceptional deal at any stage of the game. Getting it without spending a single Credit is a huge advantage, particularly early on when your garage budget is still building up.
In real life, the BMW M1 was something genuinely special. It was BMW’s first — and for decades, only — mid-engine supercar. The M1 was originally developed as a Group 4 and Group 5 racing car in collaboration with Lamborghini, but homologation rules required road-legal versions to be produced first. The result was one of the most beautiful and capable road cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Only around 450 were ever built, making it a rare machine even today. The BMW M1 Procar Championship — a one-make racing series using near-standard M1s — featured Formula 1 drivers including Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet racing it between Grand Prix weekends in 1979 and 1980.
In FH6, the RWD layout and mid-engine balance make it a nimble and rewarding car to drive. Class B at 510 PI is a competitive bracket with a lot of strong options, but the M1 holds its own — especially for players who enjoy feel and handling over raw straight-line speed.
Is the BMW M1 Worth Getting?
Yes, absolutely. Here is why it stands out even among the nine Treasure Cars.
The Credit value is enormous. 600,000 CR for free is a serious boost to your garage budget. Early in the game when Credits are hard to come by, this alone makes hunting the M1 one of the smartest things you can do in Hokubu.
It is a genuine mid-engine sports car. Unlike the Class D Nissan Figaro or even the entry-level Class C Dodge Charger, the BMW M1 at Class B is a properly competitive car that can hold its own in races without needing a complete rebuild first. The mid-engine layout gives it balanced handling that is hard to find at this class.
It is genuinely rare. The M1 is not available in the FH6 Car Showroom. The only way to own one is to find it as a Treasure Car. Fewer than 450 were built in real life, and in the game, only players who explore Hokubu thoroughly will ever have one in their garage.
It is historically significant. The BMW M1 was the car that launched the M division’s road car legacy. Every M3, M4, and M5 that exists today traces its DNA back to the M1 project. Having one in your collection is a statement.
For a broader look at which cars perform best at Class B and beyond, our best cars for every class in Forza Horizon 6 guide is worth reading alongside this one.
Best Ways to Use the BMW M1 in FH6
Road Racing
The M1’s mid-engine RWD balance makes it one of the more naturally satisfying road racers at Class B. It does not have the raw power of a tuned muscle car, but it makes up for that with composure through corners and consistent lap times. It is a strong choice for circuit and point-to-point road events in the Hokubu region itself.
Drift Builds
Mid-engine RWD cars are a natural starting point for drift builds, and the M1 is no exception. The weight balance and rear-wheel layout mean it transitions into slides smoothly with the right suspension and differential tuning. For a full breakdown of what makes a great drift platform in FH6, our best drift cars and tuning setup guide covers everything you need to know.
Photo Mode
The BMW M1 has one of the most striking silhouettes of any car in FH6. The angular 1970s wedge design looks incredible in the game’s Japanese environments — especially against Hokubu’s rural fields and railway infrastructure. Our Photo Mode guide and best locations has the ideal spots to shoot it.
All 9 Treasure Car Locations in Forza Horizon 6
The BMW M1 is number five of nine. Here is every Treasure Car and where it is hiding across FH6’s Japan map.
- Nissan Figaro ’91 — Tokyo City, small parking lot on the southern side near Rainbow Bridge waterfront. Full guide: Nissan Figaro Treasure Car location.
- Ford GT ’05 — Nangan region, southeastern coastal area at a scenic vista point at the end of a dirt road along the coast. Full guide: Ford GT Treasure Car location.
- Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE ’85 — Ohtani region, in front of the tower in the courtyard of the western powerplant area. Full guide: Mazda RX-7 Treasure Car location.
- Porsche 959 ’87 — Shimanoyama region, parked in the courtyard of a 365 convenience store on the eastern side of Narai-Juku town. Full guide: Porsche 959 Treasure Car location.
- BMW M1 ’81 — Hokubu region, under a railway bridge in the central-north, beside a scaffolded column near open crop fields. Use the main SE-to-NW road past the Hokubu Circuit as your guide. (This guide.)
- Dodge Charger R/T ’69 — Minamino region, behind a building on the eastern side of the Naruo Golf Course. Full guide: Dodge Charger Treasure Car location.
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR ’95 — Takashiro region, on a dirt road in front of Nachi Falls waterfall near a temple. The only Treasure Car not hidden in a corner or parking lot.
- Lancia Stratos HF Stradale ’74 — Sotoyama region, parked outside a mountain hotel in the central area of the snowy north, along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
- Nissan Safari Turbo ’85 — Ito region, northeastern side, at the base of a windmill in the wind farm area.
Collecting all nine earns you the Lost and Found badge and achievement. Each car also gives you 10,000 XP the first time you spend a Skill Point on it, so hunting all nine early is one of the fastest levelling strategies in the game.
Our Japan map guide covering all regions, districts, and landmarks is your best companion for planning an efficient Treasure Car route across the full map.
Other Free Cars You Should Not Miss
Treasure Cars are just one route to building a free garage in FH6. Here are the other methods worth knowing about.
- Legacy Cars and Loyalty Rewards — Played previous Forza titles? Free cars may already be in your account. Check our legacy cars and loyalty rewards guide to claim them.
- Seasonal Events and Festival Playlist — Complete weekly challenges to earn reward cars. Our seasonal events and Festival Playlist guide tracks what is available each week.
- Reward Pass — Progress through the game’s reward track to unlock cars and items without spending Credits. See our Reward Pass guide for what is on offer.
- Crunchyroll Car Voucher — A limited Ani-May 2026 promotion offering a free car. Details in our Crunchyroll car voucher guide before it ends.
Need more Credits to tune and upgrade your growing collection? Our guide on how to earn Credits fast in FH6 covers the most efficient methods available right now.
Tips for Finding All Treasure Cars Faster
- Play through the game naturally. Mei only sends the photo clue after you have explored enough of a region. There is no shortcut — just keep driving and the clues arrive automatically.
- Use the drone every time — carefully. Once you have the photo, switch to drone mode near the area shown. It covers ground much faster than driving. For the BMW M1 specifically, avoid flying into railway tunnels — it will cancel your drone session.
- Focus on the right area of large regions. Hokubu is one of the bigger regions in the game. The M1 is in the central-north — do not waste time scanning the southern section of the map.
- Use the main road as your anchor. For the BMW M1, the SE-to-NW main road through Hokubu that passes the Hokubu Circuit is your most reliable navigation tool. Follow it north and watch for the railway bridge with scaffolding.
- Spend Skill Points immediately. The 10,000 XP bonus triggers the instant you spend your first Skill Point on a Treasure Car. Do it straight after claiming each one — never sit on it.
About Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 is set across a sweeping recreation of Japan — from Tokyo’s urban streets and coastal expressways to mountain passes, rural farmland, and the snow-capped peaks of the northern Sotoyama region. It is available now on Xbox and PC via Steam. A PS5 version is confirmed and launches on January 26, 2027, with full cross-play and cross-save supported across all platforms.
- Official Forza Horizon 6 website
- Forza Horizon 6 on Steam
- Forza Horizon 6 on PlayStation
- Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox
Playing on PC? Our Forza Horizon 6 PC requirements guide covers everything from minimum to recommended specs. And for the best driving roads in the game, our guide to the best roads, mountain passes, and rural routes in FH6 is worth bookmarking.
Ending Note
The 1981 BMW M1 is one of the most historically significant free cars in Forza Horizon 6. BMW’s first and only mid-engine supercar, originally developed with Lamborghini, built in tiny numbers, and now hidden under a railway bridge in the crop fields of central-northern Hokubu — yours for free if you know where to look.
Head to the central-north of Hokubu, follow the main SE-to-NW road past the Hokubu Circuit, find the railway bridge with scaffolding on its columns, and press X. The M1 is yours.
Spend that Skill Point straight away, take it out onto Hokubu’s open roads, and enjoy one of BMW’s greatest ever machines. Four more Treasure Cars are still waiting across Japan’s map.
