The BMW Z8
The Z8 was designed during the 1990s under the watchful eye of the Chris Bangle, the recently arrived head of BMW’s design department, although its retro lines were actually penned by Henrik Fisker. The precursor to the Z8 was exhibited at the 1997 Tokyo motor show as the Z07 Concept and it was actually two cars – a retro-styled roadster and a similarly nostalgic coupe.
The concept was a feast of design indulgence with its curving bodywork, wide stance and a flying buttress helmet fairing on the roadster and double-bubble roof on the coupe. There was no denying the similarities between the Z07 and the classic 507 of the Fifties. Looking at the cars side-by-side, the Z07 was a modern homage to the classic BMW and they shared numerous styling cues – the split front grille, the shape of the bumper and the bonnet, the side vents and the raised rear shoulder line. As far as modern interpretations went it was spot on.
Two years later in 1999 BMW unveiled the production-ready Z8 and the biggest shock was that it had barely deviated from the design of the concept at all. There had been a few tweaks here and there but perhaps the biggest deviation from the concept was that the production car would only be available as a Roadster with the equally dramatic coupe version not sanctioned for public consumption.
Under the Z8’s retro bonnet you’ll find the S62 4941cc V8 from the E39 M5. No changes were made for its Roadster application and thus it develops 394bhp and 369lb ft of torque. It was BMW’s first M Power V8 and while it was obviously extensively modified for its M5 and Z8 applications it shared much of its architecture with the normal 4.4-litre V8 that could be found in the 540i and 740i of the era.
The Z8 featured an all-aluminium space frame construction – unlike every other modern BMW – and it was chosen for its lightness, strength and impressive impact performance. The suspension used MacPherson struts and lower wishbones at the front with a five-link rear setup at the rear and wherever possible aluminium was used to keep weight down.
The brakes were taken from the BMW 750i and were more than up to the job of providing ample stopping power as they had been designed to slow a two-tonne executive leviathan. The steering, meanwhile, was rack and pinion - worthy of note as this was the first time that BMW had chosen not to use recirculating ball steering with a V8-powered car. The engine was mounted behind the front axle in order to help the Z8 achieve that all-important 50:50 weight distribution.
This BMW Z8
This car started its life in France. One year later it came to Germany, where it has been ever since. It has had only three careful owners, who have all maintained the Z8 in perfect condition. It has a full BMW service history and comes with an impressive array of invoices. Only 45,400 km on the clock. The car still wears its factory paint to 100%.
If you fancy channeling your inner Bond, but prefer discrete black over ubiquitous silver and value originality, history and condition, then this immaculate Z8 is just the right car for you.
Available from a private collection. Please contact us for more details. Inspection and test drive welcome on appointment.
SOLD
