I saw a Z1, yes a Z1 yesterday in Chi-town

FCSmthree · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 09:36 AM

I was on my way to a party in chicago, when this little green 2 seater whizzed passed me. It didnt look like anything ive seen before, so being the curious guy that I am, I went after him. I caught up to him and was wondering what kind of car it was when I realized there was a BMW roundel on it! It said "Z1" on it, and I couldnt believe it. I have never seen a Z1 before or even heard of it, so i pulled up next to the guy, (who BTW had his top down in 50 degree weather while on his cell

) and asked him where he got his car. He replied, "Only in europe, I had it imported." I wasnt too impressed by the car, only when I realized there was no door???? The side was smooth w/ no lines for doors, but had a gap where it looks like the top half of the door was missing, a couple minutes later the door came up and me and my cousin were like "WOW!"
Does anybody have pics of the Z1, it doesnt look that appealing but Id like to see it in a pic.
Also, what kind of motor does it have, probably only a 4 banger. I was keeping up with it and it seemed pretty quick but then again I was driving my moms Benz.

Kinda weird, any others seen this car in the US?
sorry for the long post

onebadm5 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FCSmthree
I was on my way to a party in chicago, when this little green 2 seater whizzed passed me. It didnt look like anything ive seen before, so being the curious guy that I am, I went after him. I caught up to him and was wondering what kind of car it was when I realized there was a BMW roundel on it! It said "Z1" on it, and I couldnt believe it. I have never seen a Z1 before or even heard of it, so i pulled up next to the guy, (who BTW had his top down in 50 degree weather while on his cell ) and asked him where he got his car. He replied, "Only in europe, I had it imported." I wasnt too impressed by the car, only when I realized there was no door???? The side was smooth w/ no lines for doors, but had a gap where it looks like the top half of the door was missing, a couple minutes later the door came up and me and my cousin were like "WOW!"
Does anybody have pics of the Z1, it doesnt look that appealing but Id like to see it in a pic.
Also, what kind of motor does it have, probably only a 4 banger. I was keeping up with it and it seemed pretty quick but then again I was driving my moms Benz.
Kinda weird, any others seen this car in the US?
sorry for the long post

the z1 was based on the e30 platform, but had a largely plastic body. it was powered by the m20. Not too fast, but it is a cool looking car. definitely an icon in BMW history.

here's some pics of the Alpina RLE

here's some more info/links for the z1

http://bmwworld.com/models/z1.htm

myk v2 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 10:24 AM

Wait a minute... do the doors slide down?
either that, or their removable... but I think they slide down.
That's Crazy! ... yet cool...

onebadm5 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by myk v2
Wait a minute... do the doors slide down?
either that, or their removable... but I think they slide down.
That's Crazy! ... yet cool...

from bmwworld.com

"The doors of the Z1 are unique. The doors drop down into the car's sills (or rockers), and as they drop the windows lower. The "open air" cockpit was considered unsafe in the USA, and the Z1 was not allowed to be imported for many years."

nwhysee · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 10:35 AM

That certainly is unique.

myk v2 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 10:37 AM

I'd like to see one of these at a BMW meet.
What a head-turning eye catcher... haha

Thanks onebadm5 for the more detailed info.

bmw325is · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 11:11 AM

does anyone like those seats, bc i am definately digging the seats. any z1 freaks know if all z1's had those seats or is that alpina screwing with our minds?

LLuke@bmwe30.net · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 11:45 AM

The guy probably paid out the ass for that car! A while back one popped up in DuPont. Asking price: $80,000!

However, that car was able to be driven with no restrictions. All the other Z1's have 3,000 mile a year limits.

FYI: I read somewhere that 6 (six) Z1's made it to the USA. You mos def saw a rare bird.

Kiko · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onebadm5

from bmwworld.com

"The doors of the Z1 are unique. The doors drop down into the car's sills (or rockers), and as they drop the windows lower. The "open air" cockpit was considered unsafe in the USA, and the Z1 was not allowed to be imported for many years."

Haha, yea I was about to point out that he shouldn't have a Z1 in the US

.

onebadm5 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LLuke@bmwe30.net
The guy probably paid out the ass for that car! A while back one popped up in DuPont. Asking price: $80,000!

However, that car was able to be driven with no restrictions. All the other Z1's have 3,000 mile a year limits.

FYI: I read somewhere that 6 (six) Z1's made it to the USA. You mos def saw a rare bird.

my local bimmershop, La Jolla Independent, has a red Z1 that they work on, among other cars (including CSL's, countless '02s, and some other cool cars, inlcuding the 777)

RobRob · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 04:31 PM

There is a guy near me who gets european cars and makes them legal for the USA. He had a green Z1 there, Z8, 5 ferraris, porche's, benze's, etc. Told me he got that Z8 for only 68,000 in Europe, I don't know if it's bullshit or not though.

Tom Sederburg · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 05:56 PM

Phoenix Yellow Z1:

Tom Sederburg · #13 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 06:00 PM

Black Alpina one:

Kiko · #14 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by onebadm5

my local bimmershop, La Jolla Independent, has a red Z1 that they work on, among other cars (including CSL's, countless '02s, and some other cool cars, inlcuding the 777)

Might I inquire as to what a 777 is

?

Syko · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2002, 07:18 PM

There were a couple for sale on RoadFly a couple months ago, I think they were about 30-40k each.