Auction Car of the Week: 1990 BMW Z1

One of BMW’s most surprising and innovative cars, the Z1 is little known outside enthusiast circles. A rare and relatively affordable modern classic, it has a very different character to contemporary M cars.

The first product from BMW’s then-new Technik division, the Z1 boasted many innovative features and technologies, most notably its vertically sliding doors.

Dropping down into the huge sills, they facilitate easier access in tight parking spaces, but also give the BMW a head-turning USP. You can even drive along with the doors down, for the fully ‘open’ experience.

‘The work of masters’

Powered by a 2.5-litre straight-six with a five-speed manual gearbox, the BMW Z1 produces 168hp at 5,800rpm: good for a top speed of 140mph and 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. Its front-mid-engined layout, near 50:50 wight distribution and clever ‘Z-axle’ suspension earned it acclaim at launch, with legendary Car magazine journalist LJK Setright declaring it ‘the work of masters’.

Despite the good reviews, the Z1 suffered the same fate as many sports cars of this period: being forced to compete against the Mazda MX-5. As a result, only 8,200 examples were produced – a fraction of what the cheaper Mazda managed.

This Z1 has covered just 54,706 kilometres (33,993 miles) from new and is in excellent mechanical condition, in part due to a recent £4,500 recommission. It comes with some upgrades, including an AC Schnitzer cam cover, alloy wheels and exhaust system, but is otherwise original. The car’s underside and fibreglass body panels only show minor wear commensurate with age.

Doors of perception

First registered in Belgium in early 1990, this Z1 was imported to the UK in 2003 and has had two owners since. It comes with an official BMW Certificate of Conformity, along with the original factory handbooks, plenty of service history and a fresh 12-month MOT.

More than simply ‘that BMW with strange doors’, the Z1 is engaging and rather exotic sports car that still looks radical today.

Car & Classic’s auction for this 1990 BMW Z1, in association with Retro Motor, is now live and runs until 22 December 2023. When the bidding stops, the sale price is expected to be upwards of £35,000.

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