The Z8 is BMW’s spiritual successor to the 1950s 507 roadster. Both cars use a long hood with short deck design to create a powerful and sporty appearance. This limited production roadster with optional hardtop is equipped with a 4.9-liter DOHC V-8 as used in the M5, mated to a proper six-speed manual gearbox and producing nearly 400-hp. The Z8 has electronic traction control and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS and factory alloy wheels. This example has less than 51,000 miles and is handsomely presented in Titanium Silver Metallic with a black leather interior. The removable hardtop is in the same color as the body and has a rear window defogger. The soft-top is black and the remote mirrors are chrome. Luxury appointments are also prominent; these include alloy and leather interior trim elements, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD, Xenon lighting, fixed hoop rollover protection; power seats, door locks, windows, steering and brakes.

In developing the Z8, BMW married form and function like never before. The design is flawless from any angle, inside and out, carried over from Henrik Fisker’s Z07 concept introduced at Tokyo in 1997 and paying homage to the Count Albrecht Goertz-designed 507 of the 1950s with side vents, a sleek front end and such retro touches as a banjo-type steering wheel.

With 50/50 weight distribution and the acceleration of a Ferrari 360 Modena, this was BMW’s fastest roadster to date, the movie car choice of James Bond and a true supercar with brilliant braking and cornering. Motor Trend magazine brought out its true “M” potential, achieving a 0- to 60-mph sprint of just 4.2 seconds, and top speed was reported as 155-mph.