Introduced in 1988, the Z1 was not initially planned for production. BMW built it as a design study to test certain components of the next generation 3 series (the 1991 E36) especially it's advanced "Z-axle" independent rear suspension. The Z1 also had an advanced carbon fibre and steel chassis with a glassfibre body, complete with doors which retracted down into the sills when open. The car could be driven with the doors lowered, giving it a "beach buggy" feel.
Hugely positive public reaction to the radical roadsters looks made BMW decide to put the Z1 into limited production, and around 8000 were built between 1988 and 1991. It was an extremely pricey car when new, costing far more than the BMW 325i with which it shared it's mechanicals. The oily bits in question were a 2.5 litre straight six producing a reasonably modest 170bhp (contemporary road testers felt the Z1 deserved a good deal more power as it's fine chassis could have dealt with more grunt easily), powering the rear wheels through a five speed gearbox.
In 1991, BMW commissioned German artist A.R.Penck to paint a red Z1 which would then become part of BMWs Art Car collection (which includes cars such as an Andy Warhol painted M1, an Alexander Calder painted 3.5 CSL and a Roy Lichtenstein painted Group 5 320i). Pencks work often includes stick men figures and this Z1 is no exception.
Minichamps make this 1:18th of the Art Car Z1, which is presently (2006) only available through the parts departments of BMW dealerships. It comes with a high quality clear plastic/plexiglass display case and base in a large red BMW edition box, complete with a brochure detailing the rest of the Art Car collection. The artwork on this car is not to everyone's taste, but it is impressively applied in tampo form to the high quality red paint on this model. The interior, lights and engine details are very good on this model and it has ok wheels and brakes. Minichamps also have released a regular edition Z1, initially in black, which is available from hobby shops and other stockists of Minichamps models. I'm a big fan of unusual models so this Z1 is exactly my cup of tea!
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