The 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show was unique in history because it had something no other auto show had before—the debut of the first-ever BMW Z car. The BMW Z1 made its worldwide debut at the show, marking the first time the Bavarians used the “Z” nameplate. It went on sale in 1989 but BMW only built around 8000 over a three-year run. If you want to feel what it was like to buy a new Z1 back in its day, now’s your chance. There’s a 1990 BMW Z1 for sale on Bring a Trailer and it only has 40 miles on the clock.
Without question, the BMW Z1 is up there with the funkiest cars ever to come out of Bavaria. Its wedge shape and replaceable plastic body panels were neat but not the Z1’s weirdest party trick. That was its downward-sliding doors. To open the door, you press the keyhole button and both the door and window slide downward. It almost looks like it’s impossible to fit the door into the sill, but it works. And, yes, you can drive it with the roof and doors down, like a Jeep Wrangler but more fun.
Source: Bring a Trailer
This particular Z1 is in showroom condition, with only 40 miles (65 kilometers) on it. So it’s barely been driven and is basically a brand-new car from 1990. It’s also the correct spec for a Z1: red over a black interior. In the photos and videos posted to the auction listing, the paint, interior, engine bay, and all of its undercarriage are absolutely perfect. It looks like the car has never seen an actual road and was only driven on polished garage floors.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-six, paired to a five-speed manual, which sends power to the rear wheels. The BMW Z1 used mostly E30 3 Series suspension bits, just with a new multi-link “Z axle” rear end.
Source: Bring a Trailer
Most BMW fans would jump at the chance to buy any Z1. It’s one of the rarest and most interesting cars in the brand’s history, while also having one of the coolest features of any car ever. But to buy one that’s basically still new would be even more thrilling.
