There are cars that are admired, and then there are cars that are remembered. The BMW Z1 belongs firmly to the latter. Conceived by BMW’s experimental Technik division in the late 1980s, the Z1 was never meant to be ordinary. It was a laboratory on wheels: thermoplastic body panels you could remove in a weekend, a ground-breaking chassis developed from the E30 325i, and those unforgettable vertically sliding doors – an engineering flourish so bold that even today it feels closer to concept car theatre than production reality.

This 1991 example, finished in the unmistakable Top Red with its original grey nubuck and camouflage-patterned interior, is one of the finest surviving Z1s in the UK. With just 20,286 miles covered in 34 years, its preservation is remarkable. Of the approximately 75 cars delivered new to the UK, very few remain as pure, authentic, and beautifully maintained as this one.

The Z1 is more than just a conversation piece. Beneath its dramatic skin sits BMW’s 2.5-litre straight-six, producing 168bhp, paired with a precise five-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. It is a car that rewards spirited driving while still offering a relaxed, open-air experience unlike anything else – doors dropped, cabin open to the breeze, and a sense that you are part of something wonderfully unconventional.

The provenance of this car is exemplary. Its service record reads like a roll-call of the right names:

• Early years entrusted to BMW main dealers including Coombs of Guildford and Vines.
• Specialist care at Munich Legends in 2008.
• A careful hibernation under SORN from 2011 until 2022, preserving its originality.
• A comprehensive recommission at Classic Heroes in 2022, addressing everything from cambelt and water pump to brake calipers, hoses, tyres, lighting and stereo – a meticulous overhaul bringing the car back to its best.
• Most recently, in 2024, Heritage AutoWerks carried out servicing and detail work, ensuring the car is on the button and ready to enjoy.

The documentation is just as impressive: a thick history file with manuals, service stamps, invoices, and even letters from past custodians, reflecting the car’s cherished status throughout its life.

Condition is every bit as reassuring as the paperwork suggests. The Top Red paint retains its depth and lustre, with only the lightest evidence of road use in the form of a few stone chips. The interior, so often the weak point of Z1s, remains wonderfully fresh. The nubuck retains its texture, the camouflage seat centres show only minor stretching, and every detail feels preserved rather than replaced. Even the most recent MOT, in August 2025, recorded a clean first-time pass with no advisories – a fitting confirmation of the car’s health.

What makes this Z1 so captivating is the balance it strikes. It is not an over-restored showpiece, nor is it a tired survivor. Instead, it is the rarest thing of all: a low-mileage, authentically original car, sympathetically maintained, and fully ready for its next chapter.

For the discerning enthusiast or collector, this BMW Z1 offers more than just ownership of a rare model – it offers the chance to experience a moment in BMW history when imagination ran free. Few cars of the era carry such charisma, and fewer still are found in this condition. Whether you wish to admire it as part of a collection, present it at shows, or enjoy it on warm summer roads with the doors tucked away, this Z1 will reward you with theatre, engineering intrigue, and timeless style.

This is not just a Z1. It is, quite simply, one of the best.

Exterior: Top Red (option code 257)

Interior: Dark Grey Nubuck/Grey Camoflage Leather (option code 0300)

Carpets: Black