The BMW Z1, which never was sold in the U.S., may be a bit unfamiliar to many of you. It’s a rather challenging car to put in perspective; was it brilliant but misunderstood, or an inevitable dud? Only some 8,000 Z1s were built between 1989 and 1991 despite a huge initial flurry of interest that quickly dissipated, not unlike Ford’s 2002 neo-Thunderbird. In both cases, investors trying to cash in on the next great thing caused the stampede, but when they realized they were standing on air they rushed for the exits, creating a downdraft from which these cars never quite recovered.
Perhaps it might be better to draw a comparison of the Z1 with the Pontiac Fiero, as both used a space-frame inner structure to which plastic body panels were bolted. BMW claimed all the panels could be removed in 40 minutes (a bit optimistic), and that owners might want to buy a second set in a different color. Alternatively, the Z1 could also be driven in the buff without any panels at all, which rather appeals to me. Look, Ma; no body!
Among its many technological marvels, the doors that dropped down into the high sills were of course the most (in)visible. It was legal to drive with them down, which undoubtedly enhanced the roadster feel, but getting in and out was another matter. It reminds me of the sliding doors of the Kaiser Darrin Roadster we saw the other day. Both were doomed for failure; roadsters are challenging enough to get in and out of with conventional doors, and making them very narrow, like the Darrin’s, or with the Z1’s high sills, just doesn’t cut it, at least not with most potential buyers.
The Z1 was also rather expensive, which added to its sales woes. But BMW learned its lesson, and within a few years was back in the roadster market with their very conventional (but successful) Z3. Lesson learned.
I did see one of these not long ago, a red one in Thousand Oaks, California where I lived so I always thought they had been imported, just low volume. Passed me by and took me a minute to realize what it was. Definitely recognized it as a BMW but I’m not sure if I knew it was a Z1.
I would say its brilliant but misunderstood like you said. The whole body removal thing was interesting so I’ll give them a nod for inventiveness. Other than that, it looks similar to other roadsters from the late 80s- early 90s like the Lotus Élan but that inline 6 must have been nice. Then again, maybe the engine from the e30 M3 or a nice twin cam 4 might have fit it as well but I much prefer an honest inline 6 on BMWs.
Legal to drive with the doors down? Maybe in some jurisdictions. About eight years ago, I had an oldish 1996 Plymouth minivan…the Gen3 egg-shaped one. Well used, it was my utility car. Sliding doors on both sides; but it being the worse for wear, the A/C was dead. Heavy body rot meant the A/C was gonna stay dead…as it turned out, the rear suspension broke away in months.
But…it was the first hot spring day. I had business around town. So, natch, I opened both the side sliders…they had latches to keep them in the fully-opened position.
Around about an hour later, and in a different suburb than the one I called home…LEO pulled me over. He didn’t write me a ticket; he pulled alongside and said, “Close those $%@#ing DOORS!! NOW!!!”
Only a fool is gonna argue with an old Irish cop with a full vocabulary…I closed the doors. Didn’t try it again. I have to wonder if something similar might happen to the hapless BMW lessor who happens to attract John Law’s attention.
Keep in mind that the average American cop wouldn’t know whether the Z1’s doors were open or shut. Of course, with my luck, if I drove one with the doors open the first cop I’d meet would be a card carrying member of the BMWCCA.
LEO?
Local Enforcement Office although I more often hear it as Local Enforcement Agency LEA…
Law Enforcement Officer.
But why use a three-letter acronym when “cop” is a perfectly good three-letter word with the same meaning?
Because “cop” means a police officer, which state troopers and sheriff’s deputies are not.
I’m surprised that this acronym is so unfamiliar…
As BuzzDog said – and anyway, “Uncle Leo” trips off the tongue poetically. “Cop” on the other hand, sounds like New Joisey – short, nasal, brutal. Trouble on both sides. Who’s gonna lose? Everybody.
I’m surprised, too, that not many folks are familiar with the term.
EDIT: “Police agencies” generally include the Sheriff’s Department, if the Sheriff has Peace Officers under him (not every sheriff in every American county does; some urban sheriffs only manage the County Jail) as well as Highway Patrol officers.
They’re all “Peace Officers” and have police powers. I know, it’s splitting hairs…
Wonder what that LEO thought of door-less Jeeps?
Good question.
Bad answer: It depended. Jeep CJ-5s were off the hook everywhere. In some places, notably NeYawk State (The Vampire State, if I remember the motto correctly) enough places started ticketing CJ-7 and YJ and TJ owners that an Albany directive came out:
If the vehicle CAME WITH doors…and those doors are missing…stop the car, pull the driver out, throw him face-down in the gutter and taze him unconscious. Then confiscate the car as “Criminal Tools.”
I’m exaggerating, but not much.
If the rig came WITHOUT doors…go back to the donut shop and get another Jelly-Bomb.
So…that put Jeep types in a gray area. Pull the doors off a TJ or JK Wrangler…you’re inviting some investigative action. On a CJ-7 they were sold with or without doors…so I guess it depends on how lunch is settling with the cop in question. And maybe whether that door-less CJ-7 is sporting a hardtop, making its doorlessness obvious.
Where do I put in the quarter?
I have always wondered, why wasn’t there ever a BMW Z2?
For the same reason there wasn’t an RX-6.
Don’t remember seeing these at all,I’m not a fan of 2 seat sports cars but it has an attraction I can’t put my finger on.
Lincoln tried this in ’93…….
One time somebody loaned me for a week a Jeep without doors, that was fun. This doorless BMW looks even funner.
I also once had a ride in a Triumph TR2 — which has doors, but feels like it doesn’t. Your elbows hang just inches above the pavement.
I’ve always thought this car cute, far more appealing than its successors aesthetically. Looks better with the doors closed imo.
I miss that BMW green. Time for a comeback.