Lot details Registration No: F497YPR Chassis No: WBABA9102AL00235 Mot Expiry: Sept 2013
BMW Technology GmbH was founded in January 1985. Headed by Ulrich Bez (now CEO of Aston Martin), its first challenge was to create a car that encapsulated 'Freedom on Four Wheels'. The resultant embryonic Z1 was never intended to go beyond the concept stage, but the intervention of BMW-AG chairman Eberhard von Kuenheim saw it cleared for production.
Introduced at the 1987 Frankfurt Motorshow, the futuristic two-seater was built around a galvanised steel spaceframe with fully detachable composite resin body panels and an airflow-channelling bonded floor. Always intended as a LHD-only, low volume model (just 8,000 were produced), the Z1 featured unique Z-axle rear suspension and was powered by a 2496cc straight-six, 170bhp engine allied to Getrag five-speed manual transmission. Capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and on to 140mph, the BMW's electrically powered doors could be made to disappear inside the sills, even while on the move.
Finished in Metallic Dark Green with Black and Dark Green leather trim, this particular example is understood to have had just three previous owners - one in Hamburg and two in the UK - and to have covered a mere 35,500 miles from new (a figure supported by "all its old MOTs"). Treated to a full respray in 2009 by Sean Watson of the Old Coachworks, Middle Wallop, Hants to overcome some stone chips, the two-seater is judged by the vendor to possess "excellent" paintwork and manual transmission and "very good" bodywork, engine and interior trim. Though, he notes that there is "some scuffing to the sill and driver's seat bolster". Riding on recently refurbished alloys shod with fresh tyres, the BMW also boasts a stainless steel twin tailpipe exhaust, wind deflector and unused tailored car cover. Increasingly collectible, this smart Z1 is accompanied by "a full service history, mostly main dealer, with all stamps in the service book" and MOT valid until September 2013.
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