Few today realise just how special the Z1 was and how it pushed the boundaries of conventional car design in both materials and construction techniques. The manufacture of the galvanised box section shell incorporating an alloy bolt in torque-tube between the gearbox and differential meant almost zero scuttle shake.

The top half of the car had an extremely low drag coefficient for the time, whilst even the rear exhaust box was part of the underside aero package increasing rear end down-force.

The development of the plastic panels and even the special paint designed for this thermoplastic, saw the first plastic production car with true German build quality and without that kit car feel so often afflicting cars with no metal exterior panels.

Safety features were developed in the form of side impact protection enabling the Z1 to be driven with the doors down. The front screen pillars hide proper roll over protection.

The Z1 was the first car to feature BMW’s highly regarded Z-axle seen on all later 3-series models. Even the bumpers featured shock-absorbing qualities.

Despite all the new innovation, living with a Z1 on a daily basis was made easy as 80% of the mechanical components were borrowed from the highly developed and tested E30 325i. Driving a Z1 today still blows your mind. The car is utterly usable and far from the idiosyncratic diva you might expect from its futuristic design. Truly go-kart like handling but with a subtle ride that crosses continents at high speed in comfort.

This Z1 has been a long term resident at Hero Motor Company. We have been responsible for the care and giving advice to the previous owner for many years.

This owner being intolerant of classic cars, ensured that this Z1 has wanted for nothing during his ownership and that not just the scheduled routine maintenance has been carried out but also a proper program of age-related maintenance. During his care since the car arrived in the UK, it has wanted for nothing.

Built in 1989 and supplied new to the first owner in France, the car was imported to the UK in 1997 by the first UK owner. Having now enjoyed some time in the third owners highly curated collection, he is parting with it due to lack of opportunity to drive it.

A full-service history example and featuring a packed document file containing every invoice right back to the 2,000 KM running in service, now having covered only 56,000 KM from new (35,000 miles).

The car has recently passed through the workshop for an Inspection II service, new radiator, new cam belt and pulley, new front brake discs and pads, new brake hoses and new wheel arch liner. 2000 KM ago, all the coolant hoses, fuel hoses and water pump were replaced as sensible preventive maintenance.

The previous owner has changed the rear exhaust box for purely cosmetic reasons as, like so many owners, he wanted the twin exit look that the Z1 lacked and was criticised for. This is easily converted back to standard. Packed in the boot is a wind deflector.