Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 6 -
7 April 2018.
Estimates:
$150,000 - $200,000
400 hp, 4.9-liter V-8 engineSix-speed manual transmissionSingle
owner example with less than 21,200 miles from newDesirable silver
exterior with red and black interior Accompanied by tool roll,
hard-top with stand, and coffee-table book Has a full BMW service
history from new Only modification is the addition of a strut brace
across the engine bay
400 hp, 4,941 cc DOHC 32-valve V-8 engine, six-speed manual
transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs,
MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar, and telescopic dampers,
independent rear suspension with coil springs, multi-ling location,
anti-roll bar, and telescopic dampers, and four-wheel hydraulic
disc brakes with ABS. Wheelbase: 98.5 in.
BMW introduced its quirky Z1 Roadster with roll-up doors in 1988.
Next on the scene was the mass-market Z3 in 1995. The Z8 arrived in
production form in 2001. The three cars couldn't be more different
in their design, engineering, and intention. However, like the Z3,
the Z8 was chosen to star in the newest James Bond film, The World
is Not Enough, where it met an untimely end!
Inspiration for the Z8 came in 1993 when BMW's Wolfgang Reitzle and
Bernd Pischetrsrieder attended a party at the factory where a
vintage BMW 507 was displayed. The duo liked what they saw and
decided that, one day, they would try to repeat the trick.
Conceived under code Z07, a team from BMW Technik GmbH developed a
concept car that was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October
1997. The production car remained amazingly similar to the initial
concept in 1999, a few months before deliveries were to actually
begin.
The Z8 was to serve not only as a "halo" car for the entire BMW
lineup but was also used as a test bed for new engineering
techniques. The real technical achievement was hidden away from
view�an advanced form of welded and extruded aluminum space-frame
chassis construction. Despite the high cost, it proved feasible.
Ultimately, the same construction methods were used to underpin the
BMW-engineered Rolls-Royce Phantom when it appeared four years
later. The beautiful and timeless styling was the work of Henrik
Fisker, who was then heading up BMW's Designworks studio in
California.
The understructure was built up at BMW's Dingolfing plant, with
final assembly in dedicated workshops at the Munich plant. All Z8s
were fitted with BMW's silky smooth and powerful 400 horsepower
4.9-liter V-8, as used in 5- and 7-series models while backed up by
a Getrag six-speed gearbox from the M5. The limited production
model went on sale in 2000, and just 5,703 cars were built.
This lovely Z8 is finished in Titanium Silver Metallic with a red
and black leather interior. It has been driven less than 21,200
miles from new by only one owner from new. After enjoying the car
in the UK for some years, the owner couldn't bear to sell the car
when relocating to the US in the mid 2000s. Because all Z8's were
built to "World Specification" there was no federalizing required
for import. Only the safety labels necessitated changing to US
language, with the passenger side rear view mirror glass needing to
be replaced to have "Objects in Mirror are closer than they appear"
etched on the glass.
It is equipped with Xenon headlamps, alloy wheels, navigation, a
premium sound system with six-disc CD changer, full power
accessories, and the original factory hard top. It comes complete
with all keys, books, and tools, as well as a first-aid kit. Z8s
were built in limited numbers when new, and few come up for sale,
especially with such low miles. Furthermore, many cars claim to
have all of the original books, but in fact omit the rare coffee
table book. This car retains the original coffee table book which
is numbered to the car with a VIN plaque on the cover and
production photo before delivery.
With limited mileage, this Z8 offers advanced engineering clothed
in a modern yet timeless design. Offered with service records from
new, with work only performed at official BMW dealers, and
accompanied by all paperwork including the original bill of sale,
this Z8 is one of the finest examples.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18.