The BMW Z1 Was the Carmaker’s Strangest Vehicle

This BMW roadster was the car company’s experiment in manufacturing sports cars. Americans may only be familiar with the Z3 model, but the BMW Z1 and its many quirks started it all.
Written by Kerry Gibson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
A red BMW Z1 driving down the street
The concept was short-lived. The BMW Z1 was never supposed to go to market. But after brand enthusiasts caught wind of a roadster being tested, the project got a premature green light in 1989.
The car sold mostly in the local German market, and Italy, with only a few imports ever making their way to the U.S. Production was capped at 8,000 units when the model was discontinued in 1991. Competing with the Mazda Miata and Buick Reatta at the time, the
BMW
Z1 had some peculiar features and an expensive price tag that eventually led to its demise.

Under the hood of the BMW Z1

The engine was a straight six-cylinder that BWM borrowed from its E30 325 model.
MotorBiscuit
adds that the power output worked fine for the car’s size, but 168 hp was not very impressive. Weighing-in at 3,200 lbs, the BMW Z1 achieved 0 to 60 mph in a nine-second run. A five-speed manual gearbox completed the powertrain.
Engineers also focused on the aerodynamic design of the vehicle. A wedge-shaped nose, muffler, and flat underside provided downforce so the rear-end would stick to the road.
The automaker never built a Z2 model. Instead, the Z3 was introduced to Americans in 1995. Its design was informed by the trials and successes of the BMW Z1.
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The aesthetic oddities of the BMW Z1

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When you take a closer look at the BMW Z1, you understand the inspiration for the name. The “Z” stands for “Zukunft,” which translates to “future,” according to
Motorious
. It’s construction was certainly reflective of that description.
The convertible could be driven with the doors down. That’s right, they didn’t open to the side or swing up, the doors actually slid down under the floorboards. There were no traditional door handles either.
Additionally,
Road & Track
notes the interesting body on the BMW Z1. It had plastic panels that owners could easily swap for different colors. Zinc welding was used and a roll bar was built into the windshield.

The cost of a unique roadster

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If the uniqueness or rarity of the BMW Z1 interested buyers, the price tag was large enough to deter them. And it did. BMW initially produced 5,000 units based on immediate orders, which buyers later rescinded when the cost of 80,000 Deutsche Mark was revealed. This was equivalent to $100,000 by today’s standards.
Current collectors should expect to spend around $60,000 for a BMW Z1 in excellent condition with low mileage.
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