Cool Car Query

[Nevin]

Have just been talking with someone at work about a car he claims he saw in Germany in about 1991 which sounds very cool indeed.

Was a sportyish car and when driver approached the doors didn't open in the conventional way but instead rolled down (presumably some electronic motor was used and they curved under the chassis or similar), driver got in and then they rolled up again.

Anyone have even a vague idea of what this car is or how it would work and if so do they know where I can get pictures, or is this guy spinning me a crock of shyt?

I was dubious myself but reckoned if anyone knows it will be someone on here.

[CarZee]

BMW Z1 ?



>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 13th August 10:25

>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 13th August 10:27

[raceboy]

Sounds like a BMW Z1, the doors drop down in to the high sills, and can be driven with them down


>> Edited by raceboy on Tuesday 13th August 10:26

[cpn]

BMW Z1? www.geocities.com/droutback/bmwz.html

(I will leave CarZee to do something clever with {URL} for next time)

[Qualia]

Sounds like a BMW Z1.



Andy

[Nevin]

Nice work guys, have just checked a few pictures and that looks like the one.

[Pete Cros]

BMW GB owners club currently list two Z1's for sale, both just under 20k asking price, 1 at 17,000 miles, the other at 19,000 miles.

>> Edited by Pete Cros on Tuesday 13th August 12:55

[sjm]

A guy in our road has one. It doesn't look anything paricularly special except for the unusual doors - are they quick ??

[raceboy]

The standard car has the engine out of the 325i and as it's a fibreglass body it will be 'nippy' Then of course there are all the BMW tuners mods

[maranellouk]

Now the Z1 might not look special but I think it has aged quite well........ how the hell did they go from that to the Z3. When I see the Z3 I feel like putting my size 11 feet in a couple and going for a skate

Z1 looks like it's been drawn with a steady hand unlike the Z3 (biro between the toes).

>> Edited by maranellouk on Tuesday 13th August 18:04

[McNab]

Er, ladies don't like getting in and out but they can be modified for better performance

[domster]

What? The ladies????

[craigw]

My mate has a J reg, looks nice, gets lots of attention, sounds great, doesn't go quite quick enough. Great handling though.

[gnomesmith]

quote:
The standard car has the engine out of the 325i and as it's a fibreglass body it will be 'nippy' Then of course there are all the BMW tuners mods

Alas it weighs rather more than its doner 325i

[campbell]

It is a shame this car only has a 2.5L motor under it, but the plastic body is a rather good idea even for a German car manufacturer like bmw even if I say so my self blaa blaaa blaaaaa

[joe90]

I've always fancied a go in one of these as I owned and loved the "donor" 325i for many years.

Anyway, I once met the engineer who was head of plastics at BMW at the time. Apparently, the whole project was a limited run technology accquisition and publicity exercise which was never intended to make money. Oh to run a company that can afford to be so forward looking.

[gnomesmith]

quote:
Apparently, the whole project was a limited run technology accquisition and publicity exercise which was never intended to make money. Oh to run a company that can afford to be so forward looking.

British Leyland used to apply a similar no profit policy.