CLASSIC NEWS
Driving BMW’s back-to-the-future cars
Mark Smyth experienced two forward-thinking classics: the Z1 and the mighty Z8
As someone who is passionate about road safety, I have to admit that the concept of doors which disappear into the side sills — leaving you able to reach out and touch the tarmac as you drive — seems odd. In some ways the BMW Z1 is a little odd, maybe not odd so much as quirky. It’s a classic these days, of course, so let me just label it as characterful. The Z1 was developed by BMW Technik in the mid-1980s as one of those secret after-hours backroom kinds of projects — the kind that also gave birth to the Volkswagen Golf GTi. A concept was shown in 1986 and created so much attention that in 1988 BMW decided to manufacture the Z1, albeit in limited numbers, with only 8,000 being built. It used the six-cylinder engine from the 325iS, producing 125kW and giving the first BMW Z-car a top speed of 225km/h, provided the fabric roof and those famous plastic doors were all in place. It’s an iconic model, the first official Zukunft (German for future) car from the Munich automaker and one w...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.