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.