Description
This car is Lot 117 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 117
2004 BMW Z8 Alpina Roadster
Registration no.
Chassis no. WBAEJ13493AH62443
Rare and exclusive limited edition model
One of 555 built
Delivered new in the USA
Sold to Europe in 2017
Circa 17, 000 miles from new
Belgian registration document
The sensation of the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show, the Z07 'retro' concept car was received so enthusiastically that BMW decided to press ahead with a production version: the Z8. The fact that the Z8 was a low-volume model assembled, for the most part, by hand, enabled BMW to offer customers considerable freedom in personalising their cars. Further enhancing its appeal to collectors, the factory announced that a 50-year stockpile of Z8 parts would be maintained. By the time production ceased at the end of 2002, 5, 703 of these fabulous cars had been built.
But that was not quite the end of the Z8 story, for BMW tuning specialist Alpina then introduced its own, even more exclusive version: the Alpina V8 Roadster. Alpina's product was less hard-edged and considerably more refined than the original, being equipped with a 4. 8-litre engine from the 5-Series Alpina B10 V8 S and an Alpina-specified ZF five-speed 'Switchtronic' automatic transmission with paddle-shift operation. Producing a maximum of 375bhp, the Roadster's slightly smaller engine was re-tuned for greater torque at lower revs, which better suited the automatic transmission. Top speed was limited to 161mph, with 60mph coming up in 5. 0 seconds, only a couple of tenths slower than the original Z8.
The suspension was revised to provide a more supple ride, and the original 18" wheels and run-flat tyres replaced with 20" rims. Re-trimmed in softer Nappa leather, the interior boasted many Alpina-specific touches including the steering wheel, gauges, and gear selection display. As its specification suggests, the Alpina V8 was targeted at the North American market, which took 450 units out of the 555 scheduled for production.
This rare and desirable Z8 Alpina as delivered new in Texas, USA in 2004. Subsequently the BMW was sold to New York, remaining there until 2017 when it was sold to Europe showing 11, 255 miles on the odometer. Our vendor bought the car through BMW Delbecq in Belgium in 2022 and has fastidiously taken care of it. Offered with its original hardtop, the car comes with its original service book, Certificate of Conformity, and original leather pouch containing all books.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
