1990 BMW Z1 | Paris 2023 | RM Sotheby’s

This motor car has either been driven for no more than 6,000 kilometres or is less than six (6) months of age from new. For this reason, the motor car can be considered ‘as new’ for VAT purposes in certain jurisdictions. Please be sure to contact your local tax authorities for confirmation prior to purchase. Ce véhicule a parcouru moins de six mille (6,000) km ou est âgé de moins de six (6) mois, De ce fait, il peut être considéré par certaines juridictions comme neuf vis-à-vis de la TVA. Veuillez vous faire confirmer ce qu’il en est par votre administration fiscale avant d’effectuer votre achat.

Launched at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Harm Lagaay-designed Z1 shocked the automotive world with its unique styling and distinctive features. With “Z” standing for Zukunft—or “future”—the Z1 was a car like no other. Not only did it boast wild details such as doors that retracted into the sills, it also featured cutting-edge production techniques, including composite body panels that could be changed in a matter of minutes.

Powered by a 2.5-litre straight-six engine coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox, exactly 8,000 of these forward-thinking roadsters were built, and the model became the basis of the Z Series that later expanded to include the Z3, Z4, and Z8.

This Z1 was delivered new to Jens Winther on 23 February 1990, finished in Toprot over a Dark Grey Nubuck and camouflage interior. Winther added the car to his collection, which included a roading going M1, which he had purchased after racing an M1 at the 1983 and 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Z1 was driven once, and thereafter preserved. The current owner acquired this Z1 from Winther in 2014, and continued to store the car.

Despite displaying 999,997 kilometres, this is understood to reflect BMW’s common practice of setting the odometer’s mileage to account for the limited distance covered during delivery to dealerships, to ensure that the clock rolled over to 0 kilometres prior to sale. As such, this Z1 presents an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a time-warp example of BMW’s striking vision of the future.