Description
At the start of 1985, BMW set up a division called BMW Technik GmbH to develop concepts for new vehicles and technologies and in August that year the BMW board gave approval to further develop the BMW Technik's first concept vehicle, the BMW Z1. A year later, the first road-going prototype was produced and BMW publicly revealed the project, but it was not until August 1987 that BMW announced that the Z1 would enter full production and it was formally unveiled to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1987 to great acclaim and production began the following year in October 1988. Characterful and quirky are not words usually associated with BMWs, but the Z1 has both attributes in spades while also retaining BMW's great reputation for performance and speed. Take one look at this slightly odd-looking two-seater, and you can instantly see that the designers had a lot of fun putting it together, and that sense of enjoyment translated brilliantly to the driving experience. The Z1 is unique for its plastic body panels and vertically sliding doors which drop into the door sills and all body panels are removable, so much so that at the Z1's launch, BMW suggested that owners purchase an additional set of body panels so they could change the colour of the car from time to time and that they could all be completely replaced in only 40 minutes! it was one of the first BMW's to use a multi-link rear suspension and the drive-train came from the BMW E30 325i with its 2. 5 Litre straight-six engine and 5-speed manual Gearbox. They were only built in left-hand drive form, although UK and USA models were equipped with a MPH Speedometer and a fuel gauge in Gallons rather than litres and the completely bespoke chassis and bodyshell caused the production costs to soar – pushing this 170bhp two-seater to around the same price as a basic Porsche 911! In total, 8, 000 Z1's were produced between October 1988 and June 1991 with many of those still on the roads today. This lovely Z1 - Chassis No: 1469 was supplied new by BMW dealer Sundridge Park in Bromley, Kent and first registered on 19th January 1990. It is finished in BMW Dream Black Metallic, which appears dark Green in certain light conditions and has Dark Green Leather upholstery and Green carpets, Black Mohair Soft Top (replaced in 2015), Three Spoke Steering Wheel, Electric Windows and Doors, Electric Door Mirrors, standard Heating, Sony Stereo/ single CD player with Bluetooth, Wind Deflector, BMW Fitted Alarm/ Immobiliser, 2494cc Straight Six Engine, 5 Speed Manual Gearbox, Power Assisted Steering, Front and Rear Disc Brakes, and unique 16'' seven spoke Alloy Wheels with relatively new Nexen 225/ 45/ 16 tyres. It has only had 3 former keepers from new with the current owner having bought the car in December 1995 and he has now owned it for 29 years. The car has now covered 59, 963 miles from new with a full and comprehensive service history with 23 stamps in the Service Book from both BMW main dealers and BMW specialists and it has also had 2 cam belt changes during its life. The speedometer was replaced in February 2015 by BMW specialist BMS Surrey @ 58, 505 miles and it has only covered a further 1, 469 miles in the last 9 years and 59, 974 miles in total from new! It comes with its original BMW wallet with all books and manuals, all MOT certificates from 1995 to date, a huge file of invoices, ownership history including V5 registration documents, an indoor car cover and an all-weather car cover, all tools and jacks, space saver spare wheel with cover, battery conditioner and the original speedometer and circuit board replaced in 2015. The car was serviced by BMS Surrey in December 2022, but as a service/ checkover was due again after 2 years, we have just serviced the car again (09/ 12/ 24) and also replaced the clutch master cylinder due to a small leak, so it is now ready to go with nothing to do! This car is in excellent condition throughou
