BMW Z1

The Z1 was designed to create passion and seduce buyers into purchasing a fun and surprising car. The engineering team was given no rules to create the car. With this project, BMW wanted to ensure that the niche market for two-seat roadsters was alive, and make the Z1 the first of a kind. Built around the engine and gearbox of the 325i, the Z1’s monocoque frame is built by Baur and uses all the available technologies to ensure the rigidity of the chassis. Handling is particularly impressive, even by modern standards.

But the true originality of the Z1 resides in its doors. Instead of the conventional side opening, they are driven down into the body of the car. Safety is excellent thanks to the height of the flanks, making it legal to drive the Z1 with its doors opened or closed.

As soon as it was presented, it was an instant success. BMW claimed they had 5,000 orders prior to the beginning of the production, and shortly after it had started to arrive on the road, they apparently had 35,000 orders for this innovative roadster. However, production quickly slowed down. The burst of the automobile speculation in 1989 leads to the understanding that most orders were purely speculative. In 1991, after only 4 years in production, BMW stopped selling the Z1. Only 8,000 units were built, nearly half of them in 1990 alone.

The BMW Z1 we are offering for sale is a beautiful late 1990 model. Delivered new in France in the superb “Monza Blue” color, production numbers indicate that only 6 cars were delivered in this shade in France. What’s more, of the total production, only 193 cars were ordered in this color, making it one of the rarest ones available – most Z1 roadsters were sold in black, red or dark green.

Particularly cherished, this Z1 has only 92,000 km on the clock, a low mileage considering the robustness of BMW’s inline 6. The excellent condition of the car indicates that it was well-maintained all its life.

BMW 2800 CS

In the 1969, the BMW line-up lacked a 6-cylinder coupé able to compete with Mercedes’ own 250 SE and 280 SE, respectively launched in 1965 and 1967. Using the underpinnings of the 2000C and 2000CS, the 2800 CS replaced them in 1969. Longer than its predecessors, the 2800 CS allowed the use of the all 2,800cc, 6-cylinder engine from the E3 7-Series developing 170 bhp.

The BMW 2800 CS we are happy to offer for sale is a genuine Group 2 car used in the Italian touring car championship from 1969 to 1971. It was very successful in the hands of Italian driver Giuseppe Tarpani, taking 3rd overall place in the 1970 Championship in the 3000cc class.
 

Developping 280 bhp (dyno-tested), this exceptional BMW 2800 CS Group 2 is equipped with a 5-speed Getrag gearbox and three Weber carburetors. The important lot of spares available with the car allows to race in either the 1969 or 1971 specifications.
 

This BMW 2800 CS Group 2 is eligible in most historical races including Le Mans Classic. With its exceptional level of performance and its perfect, ready-to-race condition, this BMW 2800 CS is a serious competitor for top spots in vintage races.