BRIEF MANUFACTURER DETAILS AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORY OF CAR:

The BMW Z8 is a roadster produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1998 to 2003. The Z8 was developed under the codename “E52” between 1993 and 1999, through the efforts of a design team led by Chris Bangle from 1993 to 1995. The exterior was designed by Henrik Fisker and the interior by Scott Lempert.

The Z8 originally was designed as a styling exercise intended to evoke and celebrate the 1956–1959 BMW 507. Prototypes were spotted testing between 1996 and 1999.^[4] A concept was later developed to preview the Z8, called the Z07 and was showcased in October 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Z8 cost US$128,000, had an all-aluminum chassis and body, and used a 4,941 cc (4.9 L; 301.5 cu in)  V8 engine which has a power output of 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) at 6,600 rpm and 500 N⋅m (369 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 3,800 rpm. This engine, known internally as the S62, was built by BMW Motorsport and was shared with the E39 M5 sports saloon. The engine is located behind the front axle in order to provide the car with a 50/50 weight distribution. The factory claimed a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time of 4.7 seconds.

In order to promote the Z8 to collectors and reinforce media speculation about the car’s “instant classic” potential, BMW promised that a 50-year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet. Due to the limited volume of production, all elements of the car were constructed or finished by hand, thereby compounding the importance of ongoing manufacturer support for the type. The price and production process allowed BMW to offer customized options to interested buyers. A significant number of cars with bespoke paint and interior treatments were produced over the course of the four-year production run by BMW Individual, a division of BMW AG.

BRIEF STORY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE:

I bought the Z8 when I was living in London. I was visiting my family in Northern Ireland when I saw it in the BMW showroom in Belfast. Being left-hand drive, they weren’t a big seller in the UK, but I would drive it between London and Cambridge. I got the chance to work in New York for a few years, so had the Z8 shipped over. A company called Sunshine Car Imports carried out the U.S. conversion, which amounted to new glass in the wing mirrors, license plates and a new shifter knob to replace one that disappeared in transit. I drove it around the tristate area and even took it over to Martha’s Vineyard. After we had kids in New York we needed a four-door so it went into storage at the Collectors Cars garage until we moved to Connecticut. It was the best summer car I ever owned, but winters here mean 4-wheel drive so I put it up for auction. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!