News & Features November 15, 2007, 1:25PM EST

BMW ZZZZZ

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1991 BMW Z1

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Interiors are fragile, and the most serious cosmetic failing is that the inner door trims can get scraped if you play with the doors too much, but the lifting mechanism, via motors, shafts, and toothed belts, seems reliable. There is plenty of info on various club and owners' web sites on how to tackle it.

Predictably, this sale prompted plenty of "have you seen the doors" comments from casual punters who always make up the numbers at British regional auctions. Dealers are a bit nervous of Z1s, as they're a bit "weird," though most don't get to see one. There were only 86 officially imported to the U.K., though the total here now maybe double that with personal/gray imports, of which this was one. It makes no difference in value, however, as they are all left-hand drive.

One of the better Z1s on the market

There are a few Z1s on the European market at present, and the price has dropped in the last two years from around $40,000 to $25,000-$30,000. This was one of the better ones, with "celebrity" (soccer player) previous ownership, whatever that's worth, and a year's MoT. It sold on the phone to a U.K. buyer at the low end of correct for $27,152. The only jarring note was the Northern Ireland license plate, which some owners mistakenly apply to aging "prestige" vehicles in the mistaken belief that they convey a discreet timelessness, but one could change to a proper age-related number easily enough.

The Z1 is not DOT approved except under a special Show and Display waiver, and it will be five years until a first-year 1987 model can be brought to the U.S.

Although BMW builds definitive sports sedans, the ranks of first-tier collectible BMWs is thin indeed, and the Z1 doesn't help any. In a way, what it shares with the Z8 is a total lack of visual continuity with any other BMW, no mechanical uniqueness, and no competition provenance (unusual door treatment only gets you so far--ask a DeLorean owner).

At this price, no one got hurt, but no one's going to put their children through college on any potential profits, either. Let's just call it fair enough for all concerned, at a price that was exactly what the car was worth.

Details

Years Produced: 1987-91

Number Produced: 8,000

Original List Price: $75,000

SCM Valuation: $25,000-$30,000

Tune-up Cost: $2,300 (half that at independent specialists)

Distributor Caps: $51.95

Chassis # Location: Stamped below Motronic box

Engine # Location: Pad on front of engine

Club Info: BMW Z1 Club e. V, Hildeboldstr. 11a, 50226 Frechen, DEU www.bmw-z1.de; the only Z1 club recognized by BMW AG

Website: click to visit

Alternatives: 1994-2003 BMW Z3/Z4, 1997-2004 Mercedes SLK, 1990-2007 Mazda Miata