1989 BMW Z1

This 1989 BMW Z1 is one of approximately 8,000 examples built during a three-year production run and is finished in red over gray nubuck and patterned leather upholstery. Power comes from a 2.5-liter M20 inline-six paired with a five-speed manual transmission, and equipment includes a black soft top, retractable doors, 16″ alloy wheels, a European-band stereo head unit, and power windows. The car was imported from Germany to the US in 2023, and subsequent work included an oil change, repainting the left rocker panel, and replacing the power steering reservoir, air filter, and rear shocks. This Z1 is now offered in California at no reserve with manufacturer’s literature, import documents, and a clean Montana title in the name of the seller’s LLC. The Z1 was the first concept vehicle developed under BMW Technik GmbH and features removable thermoplastic body panels, vertically retracting doors, and a hot-dip galvanized steel chassis with continuously zinc-welded seams. This example left the factory finished in Toprot (257), and the left rocker panel was repaired and repainted in 2023. The black soft top has a clouded rear window, worn paint is present on the leading edge of the left quarter panel, and additional photos of the paint condition are shown up close in the gallery below. Silver-finished 16″ Style 11 alloy wheels are mounted with 225/45 Continental SportContact 2 tires. The Z1 introduced a multi-link rear “Z axle” design, and braking is handled by four-wheel discs. The rear shocks and mounts were replaced in October 2023. The bolstered bucket seats are upholstered in gray nubuck with patterned leather inserts and body-color back panels. The steering wheel is wrapped in black leather, and a European-band head unit remains in the factory location. The digital readout on the stereo is damaged. Instrumentation consists of a 240-km/h speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, and auxiliary gauges. The six-digit odometer shows 50k kilometers (~31k miles). The 2.5-liter M20B25 inline-six features Bosch Motronic fuel injection and was shared with the contemporary 325i. The oil was changed and the power-steering reservoir, oil filter housing seal, and air filter were replaced in May 2023. Rust holes are visible on the rear muffler. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Getrag five-speed manual transmission. Manufacturer’s literature, partial service records, and import documents are included in the sale. The car has not been inspected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.